E-bike ban postponed to next year
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UNLESS the Land Transportation Office relents or a court issues a temporary restraining order, the ban on electric bikes and trikes from major roads and highways will be enforced starting on 1 December 2025.
Photograph by John Carlo Magallon for DAILY TRIBUNE
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has moved the banning of e-bikes and e-trikes on major thoroughfares to 2 January 2026.
This came after the concerns of e-bike and e-trike owners and other stakeholders reached President Bongbong Marcos, who instructed Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez to defer the LTO's plan to impound light electric vehicles (LEVs) plying national highways and major roads.
“Bilang tugon sa mga hinaing ng publiko, nais ko pong linawin na rinig ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at ni Secretary Giovanni Lopez ang inyong concern,” LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, said in a video statement he posted Sunday night. “Kaya pansamantalang walang impounding operation habang nagpapatupad muna kami ng malawakang information drive upang bigyan ng sapat na panahon ang lahat na maunawaan at makasunod sa umiiral na regulasyon,” Lacanilao said.
However, Lacanilao said LTO enforcers and personnel will be visible on roads to implement the information drive and explain the proper and correct use of LEVs to the public. Updated guidelines shall be issued to clearly define where LEVs are permitted and where they are not allowed.
“Pagdating sa Jan. 2, 2026, magsisimula na ang strict enforcement at wala ng extension. Kasama rito ang apprehension para sa mga lalabag sa pagbabawal sa National Highway,” he said.
“Sa huli, iisa lang ang layunin ng LTO, hindi upang pahirapan ng publiko, kung hindi upang matiyak na ang ating mga kalsada ay ligtas, maayos at may malinaw na pananagutan ng bawat gumagamit nito, kasama na ang mga gumagamit ng e-bikes, e-trikes at iba pang LEVs,” Lacanilao said.
“Huwag sana nating hayaan na mangyari muna ang aksidente, saka lang magpapatawag ng hearing in aid of legislation at doon palang hikilos. Habang wala pang bagong batas, tungkulin ng LTO ipatupad ang umiiral na batas upang masigurong ligtas ang lahat,” he added.
Lacanilao, in his press conference last Friday, announced that the LTO committed to ban e-bikes and e-trikes on major roads and national highways, and that those caught would have their LEVs impounded.
He cited the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), as the LTO's legal basis to apprehend and impound LEVs traveling on national highways.
