Naga braces for LTO’s banon e-trikes, e-bikes on highways

MAYOR Leni Robredo has cautioned owners and operators of electric bikes (e-bikes) and electric tricycles (e-trikes) to comply with the ban set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on the use of national highways, stressing that the measure is intended to protect the safety and welfare of light electric vehicle users.

Robredo said the LTO-imposed ban, which takes effect on January 2, 2026, is for the users’ own protection, as national highways are traversed by large and often fast-moving vehicles. She urged affected operators to heed the directive and avoid routes where their safety could be compromised.

The LTO has earlier issued warnings that e-bikes and e-trikes found using national highways after the deadline will be impounded. The agency cited the lack of proper licensing and insurance required for major roads as among the reasons for the ban.

To prevent violations, authorities said information drives will be intensified, particularly for users who are allowed to travel on secondary roads, to discourage them from entering national highways.

In Naga City, e-bikes and e-trikes are prohibited from entering and using the following national roads:

1. Maharlika Highway, from the Naga–Pili boundary to Almeda Highway;

2. Roxas Boulevard (former Diversion Road), from Robinsons Place Naga to the Land Bank of the Philippines near the rotunda;

3. Roxas Boulevard to Almeda Highway up to Jollibee–Almeda Highway in Barangay Concepcion Grande;

4. Robinsons Place Naga to the Naga–Milaor boundary; and

5. The bridge popularly known as C-5 linking Barangay Sabang and Barangay Mabolo to the municipality of Milaor.

LTO–Naga head Glenn Mancera said there will be no exemptions or special considerations for e-bike and e-trike operators once the ban is enforced. “We will be very strict in the imposition of the ban because what is at stake here is their own lives as we must ensure their safety,” Mancera said.

He explained that the declared prohibited routes are national highways where heavy and sometimes over-speeding vehicles regularly pass, posing serious risks to smaller and slower electric vehicles.

Robredo advised e-bike and e-trike owners who need clarifications to seek assistance from the Naga City Bicycle Board through its program director, Boboy Hernandez, at the City ENRO or at mobile number 0928-342-3068 (Smart) or 205-29-80 local 1140 (City ENRO).