MMDA cracks down on e-bikes, tricycles on main roads

Tricycles, e-trikes and e-bikes ply EDSA near Pasay Rotonda on Monday, April 15, 2024. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority moved the implementation of the ban on e-bikes to April 17 because of the two-day jeepney strike that started Monday. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

MANILA, Philippines: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) began its crackdown on e-bikes, tricycles, and other similar unregistered vehicles on national roads in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday.

The MMDA rounded up 132 vehicles, broken down into 72 tricycles, four pedicabs, 26 e-trikes and 29 e-bikes, according to its report.

A total of 41 vehicles were impounded.

Each driver was fined P2,500.

MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes said the MMDA policy was aligned with a memorandum issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Artes issued a reminder to the public on April 15 on the ban on e-bikes and other unregistered vehicles and ordered enforcers to educate violators on the policy.

The MMDA first announced the implementation of Regulation 24-022 on March 11 which prohibits e-bikes, e-trikes, tricycles, pedicabs, pushcarts, and “kuliglig” from traversing national, circumferential, and radial roads in Metro Manila beginning April 15.

Meanwhile, the MMDA said that the deep hole or sinkhole located in Sales Road Pasay City has been repaired.

Also heeding the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to crack down on colorum vehicles, the MMDA, together with the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) inked a memorandum of agreement for a Joint Task Force (JTF) composed of the MMDA, DOTr, and the DILG-Special Project Group of the Philippine National Police (DILG-SPG). They will coordinate and collaborate in the conduct of traffic, clearing, and all kinds of anti-colorum operations within Metro Manila.

Members of the JTF are authorized to determine transportation violations within the NCR and to use and issue violation or citation tickets. They will also be deputized by the DILG, the DOTr, and/or the MMDA when necessary.

In his message during the MoA signing ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Artes said the agreement was a huge step in the campaign against colorum vehicles.