E-bikes, e-trikes prohibited on nat’l roads starting April 15

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THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said e-bikes and e-trikes will be banned from plying national roads in Metro Manila starting this April 15.

MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes made the announcement in a press briefing at the agency headquarters in Pasig City.

Under MMDA Regulation No.24-022, e-bikes, e-trikes and tricycles will be banned on Roxas Boulevard, Taft Ave., SLEX, Shaw Blvd., Ortigas Ave., Magsaysay Blvd., Aurora Blvd., Quezon Ave., Commonwealth Ave., A. Bonifacio Ave., Rizal Ave., R10 Del Pan/Marcos Highway/McArthur Highway, Recto Ave., President Quirino Ave., Araneta Ave., EDSA, C5 Katipunan- C. P. Garcia, C6 Southeast Metro Manila Expressway, Elliptical Road, Mindanao Avenue, and Marcos Highway.

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A fine of P2,500 will be imposed on those violating the prohibition.

Artes clarified that the MMDA is not against using e-bikes and e-trikes but said the prohibition is a means of regulating their use to prevent road accidents.

“We are not discouraging its use but rather we are just regulating,” Artes said.

Data presented by Artes showed that accidents involving e-bikes have tripled since 2019.

In that year, there were only 309 recorded accidents involving e-bikes, resulting in 112 non-fatal injuries and 197 damage to property.

By 2020, the number has increased to 377, with one fatality, 163 injuries and 213 damage to property.

In 2021, the number of accidents slightly dipped to 346, with one fatality and 183 non-fatal injuries, while 162 resulted in damage to property.

In 2022, the MMDA recorded 539 accidents with six fatalities and 262 non-fatal injuries and 271 resulting in damage to property.

Last year, the number further increased to 907, with four fatalities, 435 non-fatal injuries and another 467 resulting in damage to property.

“We should not wait for more accidents and fatalities,” Artes said.

In the same briefing, Artes said only “pedal assist” bicycles will be allowed to use bicycle or bike lanes in the metropolis.

“The bikes that will be allowed in the bike lanes are those classified as bicycles, meaning they are pedal-assisted, not those that could run on their own power,” he said.

Last year, the agency said it is studying the possibility of implementing a road-sharing policy for bikes and motorcycles on bike lanes, claiming the latter is underutilized.

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