BORACAY – Electric bicycles (e-bikes) in this island resort have been around unregulated. Now, safety has become a concern of motorists and pedestrians.
Sangguniang Bayan member Dante Pagsuguiron said the Land Transportation Office has no formal guidelines regulating the license and registration requirements for e-bikes.
E-bikes have a motor, battery and control units, faster and could cover much longer distances, and often are far more expensive than regular bikes.
E-bike, Pagsuguiron said, is a new viable alternative for commuting, less physically demanding to commute to or from office, home, and any other destination in the island.
“Dumadami ang e-bikes sa Boracay, kailangan ng LGU na ma-regulate ang entry ng e-bikes, tulad ng mga stand-up scooters na delikado sa main road,” he stressed.
Pagsuguiron said the sudden roll-out of e-bikes and motorised scooters prompted him to draft an ordinance governing how to regulate and use the transportation devices on public roads and footpaths.
There are also three-wheeled e-bikes and electric-assist bicycles with operable pedals in the island. Currently, an establishment in the island is also operating an e-bike rental business for residents and tourists.
“Lower ang impact sa environment ng mga e-bikes ngunit kailangan may regulation upang maiwasan din ang e-bike-related incidents,” said Pagsuguiron.
As e-bikes have been gaining popularity, Pagsuguiron pressed to regulate the ownership of e-bikes in the island and mainland Malay./PN
