The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) begins implementing the ban on e-trikes, e-bikes, and the like on national roads on April 15, 2024, as prescribed by MMDA Regulation No. 24-002, entitled, ‘Prohibiting certain types of transportation and other forms of conveyances from traversing national roads, circumferential roads and radial roads in Metro Manila.’
Ahead of this, the agency has now released the regulation’s implementing guidelines and procedures under MMDA Memorandum Circular No. 04 (Series of 2024). The memo identifies what exactly is covered by the ban and the restrictions on these vehicles. Here’s a quick explainer.
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Which types of vehicles are banned on national roads beginning April 15, 2024?
It’s not just e-trikes and e-bikes that are affected—non-electric and non-motorized conveyances are covered by the ban, too. Here’s the official list:
- Tricycle
- Pedicab
- Kuliglig
- Pushcart (kariton)
- Electric tricycle (e-trike)
- Light electric vehicle – an electric kick scooter, electric bicycle (e-bike), electric personal transport, or other similar vehicle weighing less than 50kg
Note that the implementing guidelines use the term ‘electric scooter’ instead of ‘electric kick scooter’ in its list of light electric vehicles, but it defined the former as ‘an electric-powered vehicle with a steering wheel without a seat and pedals.’
What is the penalty for violators?
The driver or the owner shall be fined P2,500, as well as the “impoundment, seizure, and confiscation of motor vehicle, in case the vehicle is not registered and/or the driver has no license.”
On which roads will the ban on light vehicles and light EVs be implemented?
Initially, the MMDA released a list of 19 roads, but the latest memo adds two more roads to that list. The agency may also include more thoroughfares later on.
- Recto Avenue
- Pres. Quirino Avenue
- Araneta Avenue
- EDSA
- Katipunan Avenue/C.P. Garcia Avenue (C5)
- Southeast Metro Manila Expressway
- Roxas Boulevard
- Taft Avenue
- Osmeña Highway or South Super Highway
- Shaw Boulevard
- Ortigas Avenue
- Magsaysay Boulevard/Aurora Boulevard
- Quezon Avenue/Commonwealth Avenue
- A. Bonifacio Avenue
- Rizal Avenue
- Del Pan/Marcos Highway/MacArthur Highway
- Elliptical Road
- Mindanao Avenue
- Marcos Highway
- Boni Avenue
- España Boulevard
Are there any exceptions to the ban?
The regulation does allow for the following exceptions:
- Tricycles, pedicabs, kuliglig, pushcarts, e-trikes, e-bikes, and other light electric vehicles may cross the aforementioned roads to reach the other side of a road that they bisect, divide, and intersect. For example, coming from Kamuning, the said vehicles may cross EDSA to get to Kamias.
- Tricycles may traverse not more than 500 meters of the aforementioned roads to get to and from a U-turn slot in order to reach the other side of a road that they bisect, divide, and intersect.
- Light electric vehicles may use the established bike lanes on the aforementioned roads pursuant to Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act. Again, e-bikes, e-kick scooters, and other electric-powered devices weighing less than 50kg.
You can check out the actual copy of the implementing guidelines and procedures here.
