E-BIKES provide passengers comfort as they go around the tree-lined campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna. (File photo from KIMMY BARAOIDAN)
MANILA, Philippines — The ban on e-bikes, e-trikes and other similar vehicles on major roads in Metro Manila has taken effect as scheduled, but the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it will refrain from issuing traffic violation tickets until April 17.
In a press conference on Monday, MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said the non-ticketing is in consideration of the ongoing strike of some groups, as well as the agency’s information dissemination campaign.
“Yung sa e-trikes and e-bikes po, ngayong araw po ang simula ng implementasyon. Pero hindi pa po kami magti-ticket. Maninita lamang po kami. Ito po ay part ng information campaign and in consideration po na may tigil pasada ngayon,” said Artes.
(As for the e-trikes and e-bikes, today marks the beginning of its implementation. But we will not yet issue tickets. We will admonish those who are seen violating the rule. This is part of our information campaign, considering the ongoing transport strike.)
READ: MMC passes resolution banning e-bikes on major roads
“Pero hindi po ibig sabihin na pwede kayong dumaan pa rin. Bawal na rin po kayong [dumaan]. It’s just that hindi kami magti-ticket at paaalisin lamang po kayo,” he emphasized.
(But this does not mean that they can traverse these roads. They are still prohibited from traveling here. We will not issue tickets and will tell you to leave.)
READ: MMDA: E-bikes, trikes banned on key NCR roads by April 15
According to Artes, the information dissemination will last until April 16. This means that MMDA will issue traffic violation tickets on Wednesday, April 17.
Earlier, MMDA said a P2,500 fine would be charged to persons who violate the rule, but for those with no licenses or no vehicle registration documents, their vehicles will be impounded.
Under the MMDA’s previously issued circular, e-bikes, e-trikes, tricycles and similar vehicles are prohibited on the following roads:
Claro M. Recto Avenue, Manila
President Quirino Avenue, Manila
Araneta Avenue, QC
Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue
Katipunan/C.P. Garcia, QC
Southeast Metro Manila Expressway
Roxas Boulevard
Taft Avenue
Osmeña Highway
Shaw Boulevard
Ortigas Avenue
Magsaysay Boulevard/Aurora Boulevard
Quezon Avenue/Commonwealth Avenue
A. Bonifacio Avenue
Rizal Avenue
Del Pan/Marcos Highway/McArthur Highway
Elliptical Road
Mindanao Avenue
Marcos Highway
Boni Avenue
España Boulevard
Other roads and thoroughfares that the MMDA may determine