LTO vows strict enforcement of e-bike, e-trike ban in major Metro Manila roads

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has begun issuing traffic violation tickets to e-bike and e-trike drivers traveling along certain national roads in Metro Manila whose number will grow this week.

This came after the LTO announced that it will enforce the ban on e-trikes and e-bikes on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila in 2026.

According to Bernadette Reyes’ Monday report on “24 Oras,” the development will affect the livelihood of people such as an 88-year-old e-trike driver who received a violation ticket after he was caught traversing the service road along Roxas Boulevard and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license.

He explained that he was driving an e-trike out of necessity, the fares he uses for daily needs.

Another e-trike driver received a violation ticket. He said he knew of the ban but said his passenger had difficulty walking and there was no other available public transportation in the area.

For John Alcantara, another e-trike driver, the ban has made it harder for people like him to earn a living and prevents them from bringing passengers to destinations such as malls and the airport.

According to the LTO, more than 100 e-trike and e-bike drivers were caught plying main roads on Friday.

They will face a P1,000 fine for obstruction of traffic, and repeat offenders will have their vehicles impounded.

“Turuan natin mga kababayan natin pumunta sa inner roads. Pero kapag ganito pa rin sabi ko nga pahigpit tayo ng pahigpit hanggang ganyan pa rin, huwag natin antayin na dumating na mag iimpound na kami at papunta na kami doon,” LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said.

(Let us teach our countrymen to use to inner roads. But if there is no change despite strict implementation, we will impound their vehicles.)

Aside from EDSA, C-5 Road, Roxas Blvd., and Quirino Highway from Magallanes to the South Luzon Expressway, e-trikes and e-bikes will be prohibited along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, and Marcos Highway starting any day this week.

Some e-trike drivers lamented they will earn less income, while passengers raised concerns on the decline of available transportation.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is still drafting a joint memorandum circular with the LTO, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of the Interior and Local Government to establish clearer guidelines for e-trikes and e-bikes.

“‘Yung guidelines yung sa registration nila, sa pag li-license nila para maging legal ang mga e-trikes at e-bikes na ‘yan at tsaka kung saang mga lugar pa sila pag babawalan. once na regulate mo ‘yan, na require din sila ng driver’s license, nauunawaan nila ‘yung mga traffic rules and regulations kung saan sila puede at hindi puede,” Lacanilao said.

(The guidelines cover the registration and licensing of e-trikes and e-bikes to make them legal, as well as the areas where they will be prohibited. Once these vehicles are regulated and drivers are required to have a license, they will also understand the traffic rules, including where they are allowed and not allowed to go.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News