Ban on e-trikes, e-bikes to cover more Metro roads—LTO

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it will soon expand the coverage of its e-trike and e-bike ban, which is currently being implemented along several major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

According to a 24 Oras Weekend report by Bernadette Reyes, the agency is considering expanding the ban to include more roads, in addition to EDSA, C-5, and Roxas Boulevard at Quirino Avenue.

“Mas mapapalawak po natin ‘yan. Ang initial po ay Commonwealth. Tapos po ang Marcos Highway, Sumulong, at Quezon Avenue din… kasi kaliwa’t kanan sila, pumapasok sa gitna,” LTO chief Assistant Secretary Marcus Lacanilao said in a dzBB interview.

(We will further expand it. Initially, this will cover Commonwealth Avenue, followed by Marcos Highway, Sumulong Highway, and Quezon Avenue as well, because these electric vehicles are usually seen entering the middle of the road from both sides.)

The ban has drawn concerns from e-trike and e-bike drivers, who have complained about its impact on their livelihoods, as well as passengers whose daily commutes are affected.

“Mabigat [yung ban], kasi di na kami makadiretso sa dapat ihatid. Tsaka mababawasan na rin yung kita namin kasi yung iba di na namin mahahatid sa paghahatiran nila,” said an e-trike driver.

(The ban is quite heavy because we can no longer go straight to where passengers need to be dropped off. Our income will also decrease because we can no longer bring some passengers to their destinations.)

“Okay lang naman din [ang ban] para medyo nadidisiplina, pero para sa amin mahirap din. Medyo malayo kasi yung sakayan. Medyo hassle na,” added an e-bike passenger.

(The ban is fine for imposing discipline on the road, but it is also difficult for us, especially since the transport hub is quite far, making it a hassle.)

According to Lacanilao, LTO enforcers have been resorting to issuing warnings to e-trike and e-bike drivers, but will begin stricter enforcement, including impounding of vehicles, in the coming days.

The agency will also impose a minimum fine of P1,000 for obstruction of traffic.

“Pahigpit po [kami] nang pahigpit. So starting this coming week, may makikita na rin po kayong mai-impound. Sana sumunod sila dahil hangga’t maaari ay ayoko naman silang ma-impound," he said.

(We will become stricter and stricter. Starting this coming week, you will see some vehicles being impounded. As much as possible, I do not want that to happen.) 

"Sa totoo lang, ang target ko ay ang mga malalaking isda, hindi sila. Kaya lang, may mga matitigas talaga ang ulo (Honestly, my target is the bigger violators, not them. However, there are really some who refuse to follow),” Lacanilao added.

The e-trike and e-bike ban officially took effect on January 2, following a deferment of its implementation in December 2025.

According to Lacanilao, the ban forms part of the LTO’s efforts to promote road safety for all road users.—Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/MCG, GMA Integrated News