Sen. JV hails e-bikes on big roads ban: Must we wait for someone to die?

E-BIKES provide passengers comfort as they go around the tree-lined campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna. KIMMY BARAOIDAN

MANILA, Philippines— Citing safety reasons, Senator JV Ejercito agreed with government’s move to prohibit electric bikes and tricycles on national roads.

A rider and a biker himself, Ejercito recognized the dangers of allowing light vehicles such as e-trikes and e-bikes on major thoroughfares.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) earlier reported that for 2023 alone, at least 554 road crashes involving e-vehicles were recorded in National  Capital Region (NCR).

“Minsan, natatakot ako for them. Syempre, nalulungkot ako. Transportation ito para sa mahihirap. Minsan, ginagamit panghatid ng kalakal,” Ejercito said at Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.

(Sometimes, I am worried for them. Of course, I’m sad. This is transportation for the poor. Sometimes, it is used for transporting goods.)

“Kaya lang, minsan, natatakot talaga ako kapag nakikita ko, mga nanay, mga lola ginagamit panghatid sa mga bata,” he noted.

(However, I am really afraid when I see mothers, grandmothers using e-trikes to transport children.)

“E yung e-trike, itong mga China-made na ito, ang gagaan po nito. Talagang kahit motor lang, kalaban nito. Tricycle makabangga, delikado,” he explained.

(The e-trike… this China-made e-trike is very light. Even against motorcyles, the e-trikes are vulnerable. If a tricycle will collide with an e-trike, that’s dangerous.)

“So, I think, for national roads ay tingin ko, talagang dapat hindi po nandun. More for safety kasi. Ano? Aantayin pa ba natin na may mamatay..?” he asked.

(So, I think, for national roads, I see, it should not be there. More for safety. What? Must we wait for someone to die?)

The senator is vice chairman of the Senate committee on public services.

Metro Manila Council (MMC) has passed a resolution banning e-bikes and e-trikes from national roads under the jurisdiction of MMDA.

Violators will face a fine of P2,500, according to MMDA acting Chair Romando Artes.

“Due to the proliferation of e-vehicles, the MMC deemed it imperative to regulate and penalize those who will traverse the national roads using such means of transportation,” Artes was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

Ejercito believes the prohibition should not only be limited in National Capital Region.

“All the more sa probinsya, sa national roads kasi highway doon e,” the senator said.

(All the more in the provinces, along national roads because those are highways.)

“Pero kung dun sa local roads, sa mga barangay and municipal roads, I think okay lang naman kasi mas mabagal…” he noted.

(But on local roads, along barangay and municipal roads, I think that’s okay because the traffic is slower.)