MMDA backs highway ban on e-trikes, e-bikes

The plan of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to ban electric bicycles and electric tricycles from national highways was backed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

According to MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes, the agency already has rules and regulations covering the use of e-bikes and e-trikes on major roads within Metro Manila.

He said the agency and the Metro Manila Council (MMC) had already issued in 2002 a regulation as far as major roads are concerned.

However, Artes clarified that the regulation of inner roads and areas outside Metro Manila falls under the jurisdiction of the LTO and the respective local government units (LGUs).

“In so far as inner roads are concerned, we are giving it to the local government units because they know where the e-trikes and e-bikes are safe to traverse,” Artes said.

Likewise, the MMDA chief said all other roads, particularly outside of the National Capital Region (NCR), are under the jurisdiction of the LTO, and they are awaiting the guidelines from the LTO.

Should the LTO decide to implement a total ban on e-bikes and e-trikes, the MMDA would support the initiative, said Artes.

To recall, the LTO has deferred its plan to impound e-bikes and e-trikes plying national highways to 2 January 2026, as it will release updated guidelines and conduct an information campaign on its ban on light electric vehicles (LEVs) on major roads.

In an earlier statement, LTO chief and Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said the enforcement of its ban of e-bikes and e-trikes on major thoroughfares on 1 December 2025 has been moved to next month.

Lacanilao said in response to the concerns of the public, he would like to clarify that President Bongbong Marcos and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez hears the concerns of e-hike and e-trike owners.

He added, “Temporarily, there will be no impounding operation while we are conducting a comprehensive information drive to give everyone enough time to understand and follow our regulation.”

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.