Gov’t agencies to iron out guidelines in e-motorcycle usage

Government agencies are currently ironing out the guidelines pertaining to the  use of electric motorcycles.

Yesterday, key officials from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), as well as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) discussed the existing laws, policies, guidelines, ordinances, and programs concerning electric vehicles.

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said that the wide usage of such vehicles has become a cause for concern.

 

“The LGUs (local government units) have laid down their concerns, existing ordinances, regulations, and programs concerning e-vehicles; these will be reconciled with the policies of the national government,” Artes said.

“E-vehicle units, e-tricycles, e-bikes, e-pedicabs, e-scooters, push carts, and kuligligs on the roads not only slow down the flow of traffic but also pose grave risks and danger to the lives of concerned drivers, passengers, and pedestrians,” he added.

Artes shared that one of the sellers’ pitches to entice customers to buy e-bicycles and e-tricycles is that users do not need to secure a license or have the units registered.

“When these e-vehicle users violate the law, how can we issue a traffic violation ticket if the users do not possess a license? We also cannot charge the vehicle owners because they are not registered,” he noted.

The MMDA said that based on its observations, minors were seen driving e-vehicles on national highways, some do not wear protective gears or helmets, and others use their units staying in the middle of major thoroughfares.

“In coming up with a new set of regulations, we shall address these concerns, particularly safety issues. We will consolidate and harmonize all existing rules and regulations as well as ongoing programs of the LGUs and even national government concerning e-vehicles to make it comprehensive. This will also cover not just Metro Manila but nationwide,” Artes said.

Artes shared that various LGU in Metro Manila were requested to submit a list of their own ordinances, regulations, and programs, particularly the use of the units for livelihood, to iron out the probable concerns.

For his part, LTO Chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza said that e-bicycle and e-tricycle registration as well as requiring users to have driver's licenses are among the possible changes.

“We will take a second look at the suggestions of the LGUs and propose the appropriate measures to regulate the use of   e-vehicles in major thoroughfares,” Mendoza said, adding that the agency will also submit its recommendations to the DOTr.

Additionally, LTFRB Chair Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III said that the board is also alarmed with the increasing number of e-trikes as they hinder the government’s plan on modernization of public utility vehicles (PUV).

“These e-trikes compete with legitimate PUVs in getting passengers. We are coordinating with the MMDA and LTO to apprehend these units that do not have franchises to operate as PUVs,” Guadiz said.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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