Ridon says LTO has 'no legal basis' to impound private-use e-bikes, e-trikes
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office is eyeing a ban on e-bikes and e-trikes on major roads by December, but Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list) says there is no legal basis for impounding them once caught.
In a statement on Friday, November 28, Ridon said light electric vehicles such as e-bikes and e-trikes used for private or personal transport do not need to be registered with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) or its attached agencies under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA Law).
While for-hire electric vehicles must be registered to operate, he said the DOTr should draw a clear distinction between these units and those used strictly for private transport, stressing that the two categories should not be treated as the same.
However, Ridon also explained that whether an electric vehicle is privately used or for hire, there is no law prohibiting drivers from taking major thoroughfares and national roads. The EVIDA Law even allows it, he added.
“For-hire LEVs should be regulated by the national and local governments in the same manner as other for-hire modes of transportation, such as tricycles,” he said.
What the law requires is the creation of segregated lanes on those roads or their integration into existing bicycle lanes.
Ridon, who also chairs the public accounts committee and sits on the transportation panel, said light electric vehicles shouldn’t be blamed for transport issues.
E-bikes and e-trikes have instead “democratized transportation for marginalized communities” by offering low-income families a viable way to move around.
“It has allowed Filipino families to bring and fetch their children from school, visit churches, and buy food and goods in wet markets — all without having to pay for tricycle or jeepney fares for short travel routes,” Ridon said, noting that private-use e-bikes and e-trikes have made mobility more accessible and affordable.
“This is fully consistent with the objectives of EVIDA, which seeks to make micromobility ‘an attractive and feasible mode of transportation to reduce dependence on fossil fuels,’” Ridon added.
If the LTO cites DOTC-LTO Memorandum Circular 89-105, which lists common impoundable violations, he said the directive cannot override a national law such as the EVIDA Law.
Ridon instead argued that the DOTr and LTO should reassess the business and pricing model of public transport rather than target personal e-bikes and e-trikes, arguing that a ban would only inconvenience families who depend on them for daily errands.
“We call on the DOTr, LTO, and MMDA to abandon any plan or policy to impound LEVs, particularly private-use LEVs, and to review their policies and guidelines to ensure full compliance with the EVIDA Law,” he said.
Ridon warned that if the agencies move to enforce a ban and impound light electric vehicles, congressional proceedings could be launched to investigate any overreach against private-use light electric vehicle users.
The policy was announced during a Senate plenary session on the DOTr’s budget. The LTO primarily cited the lack of licenses and the safety risks associated with families driving light electric vehicles along major roads.
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