MANILA — Come December 1, e-bikes and e-trikes will no longer be allowed on main roads.
This was the commitment of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) during Thursday’s Senate plenary deliberation on their proposed 2026 budget.
The DOTr and LTO, through their budget sponsor Sen. JV EJercito, clarified, however, that they will not immediately apprehend e-bike and e-trike users.
Ejercito said the agencies will start with an information drive to let people know of the new policy.
“Bago po sila manghuli. Warning po muna,” Ejercito relayed.
(Before they start apprehensions, they will start with warnings)
He said the e-bikes and e-trikes might be allowed on barangay roads and those inside subdivisions, but not on main thoroughfares.
E-bikes and e-trikes have become a popular form of active mobility because of their lower cost and as an alternative to motor vehicles, especially in areas with limited transportation options.
The December 1 deadline came up after Sen. Raffy Tulfo said that he has received several complaints about e-bikes.
“Sila na po ngayon ang hari ng kalsada. Dati jeepney, ngayon e-bike na raw,” Tulfo said.
(They are the new ‘kings of the road’. That used to be the jeepney, but they say it is now the e-bike)
He acknowledged some people use e-trikes to earn a living but said that also presents problems because they are unregulated.
“At of course dahil hindi sila rehistrado sa LTO, wala rin po silang mga insurance, third-party liability. So kapag sila po ay nakasagasa, then sorry na lang.”
(Because they are not registered with the LTO, they have no insurance, no third-party liability. So when they run over someone, there is no recourse)
Ejercito said that as far as the LTO is concerned, e-bikes should not use main roads but local government units let them do it.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez committed to write the Department of Interior and Local Government and inform local government units on the matter by November 28.
DOTr and LTO said they will also have public consultations regarding safety, the possible registration of e-bikes and e-trikes, and the issuance of licenses.