Group asks gov’t: Allow e-motorcycles with 50 kph top speed in bike lanes

FILE PHOTO: Electric bikes and scooters. Image: AFP/Martin Bureau via AFP Relaxnews

MANILA, Philippines — E-motorcycles with top speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour should be allowed in bicycle lanes, consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines asserted Friday.

The call comes after the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) reviews Administrative Order 2021-039, which outlines what types of electric bikes and motorcycles require licenses and registration, among others.

CitizenWatch Philippines convenor Jose “Kit” Belmonte said the AO should be tweaked to accommodate more e-vehicles in bicycle lanes.

“[Land Transportation Office’s] Administrative Order 2021-039 regarding motorcycles that is currently being reviewed should include e-motorcycles with speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour to be allowed in bicycle lanes,” he said.

Belmonte also urged the Department of Transportation to release a separate directive on electric vehicles about this policy.

“This order should be cascaded to all local government units to avoid conflict on the use of bike lanes and the banning of e-bikes on main roads in the country,” he said.

Under LTO’s AO 2021-039, L1A e-bikes with a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour may use bike lanes and similar lanes designated by proper authorities. These types of vehicles, however, are not recommended for public transport purposes; hence driver’s licenses and registration are not required.

But Belmonte said this should not be the case.

“L1a e-bikes, which have the capacity to go beyond 25 kilometers per hour, should be registered with the Land Transportation Office and their users must be required to have driver’s licenses. Shifting to newer modes of transportation does not mean we should abandon our primordial concern for the safety of our people,” he said.

Besides modifying the AO, CitizenWatch Philippines sought the amendment of Republic Act No. 10863 to boost the country’s use of two-wheeled electric vehicles.

RELATED STORIES

DOE calls for faster electric vehicle rollout in PH

Advocacy group wants review of tax breaks for e-vehicles

kga/abc