‘Don’t ban e-bikes in Cebu Metropolis however…’

File picture:  Personnel from Metropolitan Manila Growth Authority apprehend banned e-trike alongside Quirino Avenue, Parañaque Metropolis on Thursday, April 18, 2024. This adopted the strict enforcement of a ban on e-bikes and e-trikes on chosen main roads deemed harmful or susceptible to site visitors congestion in Metro Manila. | INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

CEBU CITY, Philippines – As Mandaue Metropolis mulls banning electrical bikes (e-bikes), a lawmaker right here urged town authorities to do in any other case.

Metropolis Councilor Rey Gealon, in the course of the metropolis’s common session on Wednesday, November 27, voiced out his opposition in prohibiting e-bikes.

In his privilege speech, Gealon, expressed assist in preserving this mode of transportation on the roads.

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Making our roads safer

However in doing so, regulators should combine these safely into town’s transportation system, the councilor identified.

“I perceive that there are considerations concerning security and street regulation. Nevertheless, reasonably than imposing an outright prohibition, I consider we should always give attention to regulating and integrating e-bikes safely into our transportation system,” Gealon mentioned.

A number of councilors additionally backed Gealon’s proposal on having an ordinance to control the actions of e-bike within the metropolis.

Others, alternatively, cautioned their fellow lawmakers to make sure that passing such legislation ought to be fool-proof.

Causes

Gealon’s speech, which lasted roughly three minutes lengthy, cited a number of explanation why the advantages of getting e-bikes outweigh the dangers.

He identified some great benefits of these digital autos when it comes to affordability and accessibility, serving to cut back carbon emissions, promote a wholesome life-style, in addition to fixing Cebu Metropolis’s site visitors woes.

“Furthermore, embracing e-bikes sends a message that Cebu is a metropolis dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and the well-being of its residents,” Gealon added.

Whereas acknowledging the threats e-bikes posed, the councilor additional proposed a number of measures to counter them reminiscent of placing up designated bike lanes, and correct rider schooling.

“Prohibition is just not the reply. As an alternative, we should always work collectively to create an atmosphere the place completely different modes of transportation can coexist safely and harmoniously,” defined Gealon.

E-bikes

Gealon’s speech got here a day after Mandaue Metropolis introduced its plans to declare e-bikes on the street as illegal resulting from security considerations, together with stories that some e-bike drivers don’t possess driver’s license that may enable them to traverse on roads.

E-bike is a sort of sunshine electrical automobile (LEV).

Research confirmed that for the reason that Covid-19 pandemic, e-bikes within the Philippines noticed a surge in recognition, notably in areas with slender roads and never accessible by fuel-powered autos.

Different LEVs generally discovered within the nation are e-trikes and e-scooters.

Market analysis agency Statista even projected that the e-bike income within the nation would proceed to develop within the subsequent 5 years, probably reaching roughly US$71 million by 2029.

On account of its rising quantity, the Land Transportation Workplace (LTO) had issued tips in regulating e-bikes.

The bureau’s Consolidated Tips within the Classification, Registration, and Operation of All Kinds of Electrical Motor Autos, issued on Could 11, 2021, outlines the classification, registration necessities, and operational tips for numerous electrical autos, together with e-bikes.

Underneath this order, e-bikes are categorised primarily based on their specs, reminiscent of velocity and energy output, which decide the need for registration and the requirement for a driver’s license.

Discussions, options

Councilors Joel Garganera and Philip Zafra, in the course of the dialogue that adopted Gealon’s speech, supported the proposal of permitting e-bikes within the metropolis.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, whereas agreeing on the advantages of e-bikes, she careworn that like different autos, e-bikes ought to be strictly regulated to uphold street security.

“We have to have stability – stability in all the things, offering livelihood to our folks, permitting them to earn sufficient, nonetheless, there ought to be correct administration,” mentioned Pesquera.

Councilor Franklyn Ong additionally shared the sentiment of Pesquera, including that enacting a doable ordinance to permit e-bikes on the roads ought to require additional examine.

As well as, he identified that town ought to give you measures to forestall motorists from abusing the proposed legislation.

“We acknowledge (some great benefits of e-bikes) however to guard the general public, ato gyud nang tan-awon,” Ong mentioned.

Within the meantime, as a begin, town council urged the Cebu Metropolis Transportation Workplace (CCTO) to determine possible routes of e-bikes.

Additionally they requested the site visitors division to strengthen current e-bike regulation protocols, conduct rider security schooling, and enhance e-bike registration system.

The Metropolis Planning and Growth Workplace is likewise instructed to include within the metropolis’s city masterplan designated e-bike lanes in inside, barangay and metropolis roads.

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