TRANSPORT advocacy groups have strongly opposed the government’s plan to ban electric bicycles (e-bike) and electric tricycles (e-trike) from national highways starting January, arguing that the policy contradicts existing law and unfairly targets vulnerable commuters.
In a letter addressed to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, the Move As One Coalition and 37 other organizations questioned the legal basis for the proposed ban, citing Republic Act 11687 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Evida).
According to the groups, Evida explicitly states that ‘light electric vehicles which shall be for exclusive private use shall not be required to register with the DOTr [Department of Transportation] and its attached agencies.’
Only electric vehicles used for public transport are required to register and obtain franchises under the law.
The coalition argued that the LTO’s plan to automatically impound unregistered e-bikes and e-trikes would violate Evida’s stated policy ‘to provide an enabling environment for the development of electric vehicles, including options for micromobility as an attractive and feasible mode of transportation to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.’
‘Why are e-bike and e-trike users being targeted by the LTO when cars are the primary vehicles involved in road crashes?’ the statement read further.
Citing Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) data, the coalition noted that bikes, e-bikes, and pedicabs accounted for only 1.52 percent of road crashes in 2024, while cars were involved in 54 percent of crashes.
The organizations further criticized the apparent lack of public consultation on the policy.
‘The welfare of citizens who bought these ‘low emission’ vehicles to use for their daily trips and to save on fare and gasoline should not be ignored. It’s important for the LTO to hear their voices,’ the statement read.
Among the 38 signatories are cycling advocacy groups, commuter organizations, disability rights groups, and environmental advocates including Bicycle Friendly Philippines, Pinay Bike Commuter Community, National Confederation of Transportworkers Union, Life Haven Center for Independent Living, and Komyut.
‘Why does the LTO want to push an unjust measure that would deprive citizens of their fundamental right to mobility? This is the key to everyone having access to work, education, recreation, and public services, and to fulfill other important tasks. This right will enable them to achieve their dreams, support their families, and dedicate their efforts to the motherland,’ the statement read.
The groups said they are willing to work with the LTO to achieve a transportation system that is safe, humane, and accessible to all, but emphasized they will consider the ban merely a plan until the agency conducts thorough consultations and issues clear guidelines.