114 inspected, 8 apprehended by LTO in Jan. 2 e-bike ban ops
Staying true to its mandate to enforce traffic laws and improve road safety, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) began its renewed enforcement against improperly operated e-bikes on January 2, 2026. On Day 1, LTO traffic enforcers inspected 114 units, with only eight e-bikes and e-trikes apprehended for violations.
In the language of Juan dela Cruz, “e-bikes” is a catch-all term for Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs).
LTO Law Enforcement teams conducted operations along several high-traffic corridors such as Quirino Avenue in Manila, Roxas Boulevard, C-5 Road, and EDSA. These roads fall under the list of roads where LEVs are prohibited as these were designed for higher-speed traffic, making the presence of slow-moving and unregistered electric vehicles a safety concern for both large vehicles and motorcycle riders which share the same lanes.
LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao acknowledged the role e-trikes play in daily mobility but stressed that safety remains the priority. He says that the ban is limited to major, high-volume roads, and that the agency is working to identify alternative routes where these e-bikes can operate without disrupting traffic flow or putting other road users at risk.
The LTO also reiterated that the restriction is not a blanket ban on e-bikes, but a targeted measure to improve traffic efficiency and reduce crashes on national highways.
