Marcos orders MMDA to give grace period before e-trikes ban

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to give e-bikes and e-trikes, as well as tricycles, a grace period before imposing the rule banning them on national roads.

“Ngayong araw na ito, iniutos ko sa MMDA  at sa lahat ng lokal na pamahaalan sa Metro Manila na bigyan ng palugit ang mga e-bikes, e-trikes at iba pang apektadong sasakyan na dumadaan sa ilang tukoy na daan sa Metro Manila. Kailangan pang magbigay ng sapat na panahon para sa malawak na pagsisiwalat ng impormasyon hinggil sa ban na ating ipinapatupad.” said Marcos in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

READ: MMDA: E-bikes, trikes banned on key NCR roads by April 15

However, Marcos stood by the MMDA’s decision to ban e-bikes on major thoroughfares.

“Batay na rin sa rekomendasyon na aking natanggap, mananatiling bawal ang mga natukoy na sasakyan sa ilalim ng MMDA Regulation No. 24-022 series of 2024 sa mga piling pangunahing lansangan,” the President said.

Starting April 17, those caught using electric vehicles, particularly e-bikes and e-trikes, on national roads in Metro Manila were issued citation tickets as the ban took effect on Monday, April 15.

READ: MMDA drive vs e-vehicles, trikes on major roads nets 131

Under MMDA Regulation No. 24-022, the use of e-vehicles, such as e-bikes and e-trikes, as well as tricycles, pedicabs, pushcarts and tractor-drawn carts known as “kuliglig” will be prohibited on national, circumferential and radial roads of the capital region.

The policy, however, also said that light electric vehicles such as pedal-assist e-bikes, e-kick scooters, and similar vehicles weighing less than 50 kilograms can still use these roads if they are inside established bike lanes or need to cross the road.

But, the MMDA added, the light electric vehicles should yield to all incoming traffic.

Violator of the rule shall be fined P2,500, while unregistered vehicles will be impounded.