LTO holds dialogues to formulate regulations on e-bikes

MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will continue to hold dialogues and consultations with different stakeholders to formulate guidelines and regulations on e-bikes and other unregistered electric vehicles (e-vehicles).

In a statement Thursday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the planned series of consultative meetings is in line with the instruction of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to get the viewpoints of various groups before finalizing regulations on e-bikes.

Mendoza said the opinions of stakeholders would be considered in the decision whether e-vehicles must be registered or their drivers be holders of a driver's license.

"In as much as we want to set the rules for them, there are various factors that must be considered like an existing law that promotes their ownership and use, as well as the programs and projects by local government units using these e-vehicles for their constituents," he said.

Last week, Mendoza sat down with public transport groups and e-vehicle organizations.

Some of the issues tackled were concerns of public transport groups that they are losing income from short trips as e-trikes are being used for public transport and the blatant traffic rules violations of e-bikes and e-trikes users.

"Titiyakin natin na magiging akma ang ating guideline at hindi naman matatapakan ang local autonomy ng ating mga LGUs lalo na at may mga ordinansa at patakaran ng nilabas ang ilang LGUs tungkol dito (We will ensure that our guidelines are apt and will not affect the local autonomy of local government units, especially those that have made their own ordinances re these e-vehicles)," Mendoza said.

On Feb. 28, the Metro Manila Council issued a resolution banning e-bikes on major roads across the National Capital Region (NCR) beginning April in response to increasing incidents of road crashes involving these vehicles.

Aside from banning e-vehicles from major roads, NCR LGUs will also require drivers of e-vehicles and tricycles to have a driver's license. (PNA)