The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to implement a strict prohibition on electric tricycles, commonly known as e-trikes, along key thoroughfares in Metro Manila beginning Friday, January 2, 2026. Roads affected include Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), C-5 Road, Roxas Boulevard, and the stretch from Quirino Avenue to the Magallanes–South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), following guidelines from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
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Safety Measures and Law Enforcement
To support the new regulation, the LTO will station law enforcement officers at critical points along the affected roads to inform drivers and ensure compliance. Motorists caught violating the ban will face penalties under Republic Act 4136, which may include fines and impoundment of their e-trikes or e-bikes.
LTO Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao emphasized that the ban aims to enhance road safety. “These major roads are designed for faster and larger vehicles, and mixing slow-moving and lightweight vehicles such as e-trikes poses a clear danger to all road users,” he explained in Filipino in a press statement.
Lacanilao added that the LTO will coordinate with local government units and industry stakeholders to create safer alternative routes for e-trikes, ensuring that commuters who rely on them still have accessible transportation options.
The agency clarified that this measure is not a blanket ban on electric tricycles but is intended to prevent accidents and maintain orderly traffic flow on high-speed, high-volume roads.He also reminded the public to observe traffic rules and cooperate with authorities for a safer commuting environment.
Balancing Safety and Accessibility
The LTO’s move underscores the government’s focus on protecting both drivers and passengers while maintaining efficient road use in Metro Manila. By separating slower, smaller vehicles from faster traffic lanes, authorities hope to reduce collisions and accidents. At the same time, officials plan to provide alternative routes to ensure that commuters who depend on e-trikes for daily travel are not left stranded.
For everyday Filipinos, the policy affects both public safety and commuting habits. Those who frequently ride e-trikes will need to adjust their routes, while all road users can expect smoother traffic flow and fewer accident risks along Metro Manila’s busiest roads.
