The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will start impounding e-bikes and e-trikes caught plying major roads starting December 1, according to a Senate hearing on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) budget.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said they are ready to tighten the ban on e-bikes and e-trikes on main roads. Sen. JV Ejercito has committed the LTO that all e-trikes caught on the road will be arrested and impounded.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo emphasized that most e-bike and e-trike drivers do not have registrations, licenses, and insurance, but are still able to travel freely. Some of them were allegedly given franchises by some LGUs even though they are not allowed on main roads.
Tulfo proposed that the LTO and LGUs should agree on clear regulations for e-bikes and e-trikes, while not neglecting the livelihood of traditional tricycles. He therefore suggested considering the requirement for operators and drivers to have a driver’s license.
According to the DOTr, before starting the arrests, they will first conduct an information drive starting December 1 to give the public a reminder. After that, strict enforcement and automatic impound of those caught on major roads will continue.
