E-Trike Ban Stays, But Penalties Put on Hold
The ban on e-trikes, e-bikes and similar vehicles from national roads in
Metro Manila has officially begun.
However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority and local government units in the National
Capital Region not to begin ticketing and penalize those who violate the
ban.
The President himself in a post on X explained that during the grace
period, e-trikes will not be ticketed, fined or impounded for violating the
supposed ban on major thoroughfares of Metro Manila.
He said those who violate the ban would be informed about the thoroughfares
where they can use and that the ban is meant to maintain order and safety
on the streets of the Metropolis.
The grace period is supposed to last for at least a month.
The ban covers Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, South Luzon Expressway, Shaw
Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue, Magsaysay Boulevard/Aurora Boulevard, Quezon
Avenue/Commonwealth Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Rizal Avenue, Del
Pan/Marcos Highway/McArthur Highway, Recto Avenue, President Quirino
Avenue, Araneta Avenue, EDSA, Katipunan/C.P. Garcia Avenue, Southeast Metro
Manila Expressway, Elliptical Road, Mindanao Avenue, Marcos Highway, Boni
Avenue and Espana Boulevard.
Aside from e-trikes and e-bikes the ban includes light electric vehicles
including electric kick scooter, electric bicycle, electric personal
transport or other similar vehicles weighing less than 50 kilograms, as
well as tricycles, pedicabs, Kuliglig, and push carts.
There seems to be a pattern with government officials talking tough about
imposing painful policies and the President taking a softer populist
stance. This may be confusing to many who believe the ban on e-trikes on
major thoroughfares is a good thing.