LTO mulls registration of e-bikes

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is considering the mandatory registration of all kinds of electronic bikes or e-bikes, according to Katrina Son's report on State of the Nation on Monday.

The report said this was due to the high number of accidents involving e-bikes.

From January to November last year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded 556 accidents related to e-bikes in the National Capital Region (NCR).

At present, e-bike drivers are not required to have a license.

"Pag tumatakbo 'yan ng less than 25 kilometers per hour, hindi kailangan i-rehistro sa (if the vehicle is running less than 25 kilometers per hour, you don't have to register it with the) LTO although we'd like to deviate from that thinking," said Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza, LTO chief.

"So we're coming up with a proposal, regardless of the speed of the vehicle... kelangan rehistrado sa (it must be registered to the) LTO," he added.

E-bikes are popular mode of transportation for both commuters and delivery riders for practical reasons.

"Hindi na nagpapa-gas tapos mas malaki ang naiuuwi sa pamilya (there's no need for fuel so I have bigger take-home pay for the family)," said Julius Yebra, e-bike user.

An e-bike rental shop featured in the report said e-bikes can be rented for P250 a day. An average of 40 e-bikes get rented in a day, the report said. —KBK/ VDV, GMA Integrated News