MANILA — Responding to widespread public backlash, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has pushed back its planned nationwide impounding of electric bicycles and electric tricycles on national highways, giving riders a temporary reprieve from what many had decried as a premature and confusing crackdown.
LTO chief Markus Lacanilao on Saturday announced that the enforcement start date has been moved from December 1, 2025, to January 2, 2026, to allow the agency more time to recalibrate its rules and properly inform the public.
“There will be no impounding operation for the time being while we implement a comprehensive information drive,” Lacanilao said, noting that the extension aims to address concerns over unclear guidelines and insufficient public awareness.
According to the LTO, revised rules will soon be released to clearly define which national roads will be off-limits to light electric vehicles (LEVs). Beginning Monday, personnel will be stationed along major thoroughfares to brief riders on the regulations — though no impounding or confiscation will occur during the transition period.
Despite the delay, Lacanilao emphasized that the agency remains committed to enforcing the ban early next year.
“Ultimately, the LTO has only one goal — not to inconvenience the public, but to ensure that our roads are safe… including users of e-bikes, e-trikes, and other LEVs,” he said.
Officials earlier pointed to a steady rise in accidents involving electric two- and three-wheelers as the primary reason for restricting their use on national highways./PN
