Authorities will soon impound electronic bikes and tricycles (e-bikes, e-trikes) caught operating on main thoroughfares, according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao gave this commitment to the Senate on Thursday as it tackled in the plenary the proposed budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for 2026.
‘Our new LTO head, Assistant Secretary Lacanilao, has committed that by December 1, all e-trikes on the streets will be apprehended,’ Sen. JV Ejercito, budget sponsor of the DOTr’s budget, said after conferring with the LTO and DOTr officials.
‘There you go, e-bikes and e-trikes-starting December 1, refrain from plying your route,’ said Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who brought up some issues raised against these vehicles.
Unlike the traditional tricycles, Tulfo pointed out that e-trike and e-bike operators and drivers are not only not registered with the LTO, but they also do not have a license and insurance. And yet, they are allowed to operate.
Ejercito explained that these e-bikes and e-trikes are supposed to be prohibited from using the main thoroughfares, but some were able to get franchises from local government units (LGUs). Tulfo then suggested that the LTO and LGUs come up with an agreement to regulate e-bikes and e-trikes, but without ‘killing’ the business of traditional tricycles.
‘So maybe it’s about time we consider requiring these e-bike drivers and operators to get a driver’s license. If not, they should be apprehended, or the LGU should be warned,’ he said.
It was at this point that the LTO vowed to strictly enforce the ban on e-bikes and e-trikes by impounding those caught on major roads starting Dec. 1.
‘According to LTO, and DOTr, automatic impound na,’ Ejercito said when asked what kind of ticket would be issued to violators if they don’t have a license.
‘That’s what the LTO says: from now on, especially on main thoroughfares, they will automatically impound them,’ he added.
While commending this move, Tulfo advised the transportation agency to conduct an information drive first before apprehending violators.
The DOTr agreed with the suggestion.
‘According to our Secretary, by December 1, they will first conduct an information drive. They will go around just to inform everyone they see,’ Ejercito said, referring to Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez. ‘So they will first give everyone a chance to be informed. There will be an information campaign before they start apprehending anyone,’ the senator said.