Updated on February 20 // 10:40 PM
Electric tricycles or e-trikes are now banned on national roads in Taguig City.
The local government recently issued an announcement informing residents about the new strict guidelines on the use of the popular e-trikes or electric tricycles, which are rapidly increasing and becoming a leading cause of road accidents.
The Traffic Management Office (TMO) stated that e-trike users or owners are strictly required to follow the Land Transportation Office (LTO) administrative order to ensure the safety of all road users.
The TMO imposed not to allow e-trikes to enter national roads such as Circumferential Road 5 (C-5 Road), Circumferential Road 6 (C-6 Road), and Kalayaan Avenue “except when they need to cross.”
It also prohibits e-trikes from being used as public transportation, stating they are only for personal use, and should keep to the right side of the road to avoid blocking other vehicles and to maintain proper traffic flow. They can also use the bike lanes, but they should drive slowly and prioritize cyclists.
The city government also required e-trike drivers and passengers to wear helmets.
The TMO has requested residents’ cooperation and understanding to ensure a safe road for everyone, stating that “failure to comply may result in severe penalties.”
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romando Artes recently discussed various issues related to electric vehicles, especially e-trikes, with off cials from LTO, the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Topics discussed included the registration of e-trikes and e-bikes, as well as the requirement for their drivers to obtain a license.
The officials also discussed existing laws, policies, guidelines, ordinances, and programs concerning electric vehicles at both the national and local government levels. The authorities emphasized the concerns about the proliferation of e-vehicles, which not only slow down traffic flow, but pose a severe risk to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Artes noted that one of the sales pitches of vendors of these e-vehicles is that users do not need to obtain a license or have the units registered.
“When these e-vehicle users violate the law, how can we issue a traffic violation ticket if the users do not possess a license? We also cannot charge the vehicle owners because they are not registered,” he pointed out. Based on MMDA’s monitoring, minors are seen driving e-vehicles on national highways.
Some drivers do not wear helmets or protective gear, and some users traverse their units in the middle of the highways, among other issues.
The MMDA stated that the new set of regulations will address these concerns, particularly safety issues, and consolidate and harmonize all existing rules and regulations as well as ongoing programs of local government units and the national government concerning e-vehicles to make it comprehensive.
