The announcement of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s ban on e-bikes, e-trikes, and other light vehicles on national roads was met with much confusion—no thanks to the lack of clarity. With implementation starting on April 15, the resolution’s guidelines have been released.

We already know which national roads are covered by the ban, but the MMDA didn’t specify what kinds of vehicles are affected. The key term to take note of is “light electric vehicle,” which refers to EVs weighing less than 50kg.

This can include pedal-assist bicycles, e-scooters like the Fiido Q1, electric kick scooters, and electric unicycles—but not electric tricycles like the NWow ERV/ERVS2 or electric quadricycles.

According to Section 5 of the implementing guidelines, there are three exceptions:

1. The prohibited vehicles can cross national roads.
2. Tricycles can traverse not more than 500m within a U-turn slot, if necessary, to get across a national road.
3. Light EVs are allowed on bicycle lanes of national roads.

Hopefully, the Department of Transportation will continue to expand Metro Manila’s bike-lane network so light-mobility users can safely traverse the streets.