Mandaue firm on e-bike ban

CEBU, Philippines — No electric bikes (e-bikes) are allowed to ply the major highways in Mandaue City.

This is what the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) has reiterated, stressing that e-bikes along major highways remain strictly illegal and prohibited in the city.

TEAM head Hyll Retuya made this statement on March 31, following reports that some local government units (LGUs) in Cebu are considering allowing e-bikes on major roads.

“Diri sa Mandaue hugot gihapon ang atoang pag dili sa pag padagan aning mga e-bikes,” said Retuya.

Retuya maintained that e-bikes are not registered vehicles, which poses a safety risk on the roads.

A day prior to this statement, TEAM impounded four vehicles near a university in Mandaue City for passing through major highways. Retuya added that some violators were able to escape.

He said that signage in the area clearly indicates that e-bikes are not allowed.

“Kani laging hatagan dayon ta og rason ba nga gikulban og kaldero so on or so forth,” said Retuya, adding that TEAM’s primary concern is road safety, which he noted is often not understood by some drivers.

Despite rising fuel prices, Retuya emphasized that e-bikes should still not be traversing highways.

“Ang amoa man gud sa syudad sa Mandaue is safety gyud,” Retuya said.

Retuya also pointed out that although neighboring cities have allowed e-bikes on major roads, these vehicles and their drivers often lack proper documentation, which could lead to serious concerns onwards.

Regardless of the policies adopted by other LGUs, he stressed that e-bikes will continue to be prohibited on major roads in Mandaue City.

To recall, public electric tricycles operated along the roads of Barangay Pasil in Cebu City on March 28, 2026, as the city explores alternatives amid rising fuel costs.

A Cebu City councilor is now pushing for the temporary authorization of electric-powered vehic les on major roads in response to the surge in fuel prices driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Cebu City Councilor Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella II said he will file a resolution in the next regular session seeking to allow electric tricycles (e-trikes), four-wheel electric carts (e-carts), and electric cars (e-cars) to operate along the city’s main thoroughfares.

The proposal comes as disruptions in the global oil supply, linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, continue to push crude prices higher, increasing fuel costs across Asia and placing additional pressure on the Philippines. (CEBU NEWS)