E-bikes, e-trikes, tricycles ban on NCR national roads starting April 15 —MMDA

The ban on e-bikes, e-trikes, and tricycles on national roads in the National Capital Region (NCR) will take effect on April 15, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Monday.

MMDA: initial list of national roads where light e-vehicles will be banned starting April 15, 2024 @gmanews @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/qHFD8k606M

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) March 11, 2024

“We will implement ito by April 15. But we will consider pa rin iyong ibang suggestions. Nag-aagree naman sila na kailangan i-regulate,” MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said in a press conference.

(We will implement this by April 15. But we will still consider those other suggestions. They agree that it needs to be regulated.)

“Naliwanagan naman sila na hindi ito total ban. Hindi sila pinagbabawalan na lumabas. It’s just may mga certain roads na hindi talaga sila nararapat,” he added.

(They were enlightened that this is not a total ban. They are not forbidden to go out. It's just that there are certain roads that are not really appropriate for them.)

Artes made the statement following a public consultation with stakeholders.

According to the MMDA, the national roads covered by the ban are the following: 

• R1: Roxas Boulevard
• R2: Taft Avenue
• R3: SLEX
• R4: Shaw Boulevard
• R5: Ortigas Avenue
• Ro: Magsaysay Blvd/Aurora Blvd.
• R7: Quezon Ave./ Commonwealth Ave.
• R8: A. Bonifacio Avenue
• R9: Rizal Avenue
• R10: Del Pan/Marcos Highway/McArthur Highway
• C1: Recto Avenue
• C2: Pres. Quirino Avenue
• C3: Araneta Avenue
• C4: Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue
• C5: Katipunan/C.P. Garcia
• C6: Southeast Metro Manila Expressway
• Elliptical Road
• Mindanao Avenue
• Marcos Highway

Popcycle’s Angelo Lacson said that the classifications of e-bikes and e-trikes covered and exempted from the ban should be clarified.

“With the banning, that’s not the solution. For me, gawan ng proseso (there should be a process). Like in China, India, they are allowed in the national roads pero may registration,” he told reporters.

Commuter groups opposed the ban claiming that there were no public consultations conducted when the Metro Manila Council resolution was passed on February 28. 

Make It Safer Movement said the ban violates the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act which promotes the use of e-vehicles. 

It also said there is already a P1 billion allocation in the General Appropriations Act of 2024 for the construction and maintenance of active transport bike share system and safe pathways program. 

“MMDA has delayed the implementation of infrastructure that would have ensured the safety of all pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters, including e-bike and e-trike users. 

Move as One, for its part, said the ban is barking up the wrong tree because there are more four-wheeled vehicles involved in road accidents. 

Another group, Manila Bike Commuter cited MMDA’s own data showing there were 72, 295 accidents involving cars as opposed to 2,829 incidents involving bike, e-bike, and pedicabs, and 2,241 incidents involving tricycles.

“E-trikes and e-bikes are not dangerous,” it said.  

The MMDA said it initiated the regulation of e-vehicles as they pose a risk and danger to the lives of concerned drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

According to the MMDA, a total of four people died due to road crash incidents involving e-bikes in 2023. Also, 436 were injured and 468 properties were damaged.

Violators will be penalized with a P2,500 fine, according to the MMDA.

Those driving e-bikes and e-trikes will also be required to secure a license. If the e-vehicle is driven by a person without a driver’s license, it will be impounded.

Artes said the regulation on requiring driver’s license and registration will be covered in a separate issuance by the Land and Transportation  Office.—Joviland Rita and Joseph Morong/AOL, GMA Integrated News