LTO holding dialogues with stakeholders on e-bike guidelines

LTO logo over its building. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said that it will continue holding dialogues with various stakeholders in formulating guidelines on the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) and electric tricycles (e-trikes) in thoroughfares nationwide.

This, as the LTO mulls requiring vehicle registration among e-bikes and e-trikes and their riders to be holders of a drivers’ license.

“We share the concerns raised by motorists on the aspect of road safety involving the presence of e-bikes and e-trikes on national roads and even on major thoroughfares,” LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement.

“In as much as we want to set the rules for them, there are various factors that must be considered like an existing law that promotes their ownership and use, as well as the programs and projects by local government units using these e-vehicles for their constituents,” he added.

According to the LTO, Mendoza recently held a dialogue with transport groups and organizations which support the use of e-vehicles in the country.

During the meeting, they tackled the concerns of transport groups who said that they were losing income from short trips as e-trikes are being used for public transport.

Also discussed were the “blatant” traffic violations committed by e-bikes and e-trikes users, LTO added.

“The guidelines that will be issued by the LTO will have a national scope, so we are also making sure that the guidelines that we will issue is proper, legal, and acceptable for everyone because our local government units (LGUs) have livelihood programs using these e-vehicles,” Mendoza said.

“We will make sure that our guideline will be appropriate and that the local autonomy of our LGUs will not be violated, especially since some LGUs have issued ordinances and policies regarding this,” the LTO chief explained.

On February 28, the Metro Manila Council passed a resolution banning e-bikes and e-trikes  on national roads under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Violators will be fined P2,500 according to the MMDA.