E-bike ban on major Metro Manila roads to take effect April 15

MANILA, Philippines—The ban on  e-bikes on major roads in Metro Manila will take effect starting on April 15, 2024, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said on Monday.

“We will implement this by April 15, but we will still consider other suggestions,” Artes said in a press briefing,

Violators will be fined P2,500, while their units will also be impounded if e-bike users are not able to present a driver’s license upon apprehension, Artes previously said.

Artes said the prohibition will be enforced on the following national roads in Metro Manila:

• Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa)
• C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila
• President Quirino Avenue, Manila
• Araneta Avenue, QC
• Katipunan/C.P. Garcia, QC
• Southeast Metro Manila Expressway
• Roxas Boulevard, Manila / Pasay / Paranaque
• Taft Avenue, Manila / Pasay
• Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway)
• Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong / Pasig
• Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong / Pasig
• Magsaysay Boulevard/Aurora Boulevard, QC / Manila
• Quezon Avenue/Commonwealth Avenue, QC
• A.Bonifacio Avenue, Manila, QC
• Rizal Avenue, Manila
• Del Pan/Marcos Highway/McArthur Highway
• Elliptical Road, QC
• Mindanao Avenue, QC
• Marcos Highway

The implementing rules and regulations of the measure are expected to be out before April 15, said the MMDA chairman.

Artes also cited an increase in fatal accidents among e-bike users as a reason for the measure.

MMDA data revealed that no e-bike-related fatalities were reported in 2019, but the death toll jumped to six in 2022. Four fatalities were reported last year, while one death each was logged in 2020 and 2021.

He also cited recent incidents involving e-bikes and e-trikes, which went viral online.

But for e-bike stakeholders, banning it on major thoroughfares is not the solution.

Angelo Lacson of e-bike center Popcycle said in a chance interview that this measure is “backward and not forward-thinking city planning.”

Lacson, who also attended the MMDA meeting with stakeholders on Monday, noted that in India and China, e-bikes are allowed on national roads, albeit with registration.