The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will prohibit electric-powered vehicles, such as e-bikes and e-trikes, as well as other types of conveyances, such as tricycles, pedicabs, pushcarts, and kuligligs, on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
The MMDA, through the Metro Manila Council (MMC), passed MMDA Regulation No. 24-022 series of 2024, which aims to regulate and penalize the use of these vehicles on national roads, circumferential, and radial roads in the metropolis.
The regulation covers 20 roads under the jurisdiction of the MMDA, namely:
- Recto Avenue
- Pres. Quirino Avenue
- Araneta Avenue
- EDSA
- Katipunan/CP Garcia
- Southeast Metro Manila Expressway
- Roxas Boulevard
- Taft Avenue
- Osmeña Highway (formerly South Super Highway)
- Shaw Boulevard
- Ortigas Avenue
- Magsaysay Blvd./Aurora Blvd.
- Quezon Ave./Commonwealth Ave.
- A. Bonifacio Ave.
- Rizal Ave.
- Del Pan/Marcos Highway/McArthur Highway
- Elliptical Road
- Mindanao Avenue
- Marcos Highway
- Boni Ave. (Mandaluyong)
According to MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, the reason for the regulation was the proliferation of e-vehicles and the safety concerns of both e-vehicle users and other motorists.
“Due to the increasing number of users of these kinds of vehicles, the MMC deemed it imperative to regulate and penalize those who will traverse the national roads using such means of transportation,” he said in a press conference.
He added that e-vehicles have been a common cause of traffic and road crash incidents in the past year. The MMDA recorded 554 road crash incidents involving e-vehicles in 2023.
E-vehicle drivers will be required to present their driver’s license upon apprehension. Those who fail to do so will face a fine of P2,500 and impoundment of their vehicles.
The regulation will take effect in April, after an information and awareness campaign by the MMDA. Meanwhile, each local government unit in Metro Manila will make its ordinances for the secondary and other inner roads under its jurisdiction.
Source
Image credit: PNA photo by Yancy Lim
