30-day moratorium on unregistered e-bikes extended

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – The city of Bacolod has extended the moratorium on the apprehension of unregistered electric bikes (e-bikes) and e-trikes for 30 days.

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez initially announced that the apprehension of illegal e-bikes and e-trikes would start on May 24, following the submission of a list of accredited e-bike operators by village chiefs in their respective barangays, which is required for issuing licenses or permits to operate.

However, Benitez issued a memorandum on May 24 to the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) extending the moratorium on the apprehension and issuance of citation tickets for unregistered electric vehicles.

Benitez noted in the memorandum that the extension is “to provide the necessary time to develop comprehensive regulations and pending the amendment of pertinent city ordinances relating to the regulation of e-bike and e-tricycle operations.”

BTAO received the order last Monday.

Benitez earlier reminded village chiefs to comply with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)’s 2020 Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-036, which prohibits tricycles, pedicabs, and motorized pedicabs from operating on national highways.

He emphasized that regulating e-bikes and e-trikes aims to ensure the safety of commuters and drivers on the road.

Meanwhile, BTAO has moved to Barangay Alijis, starting May 27, from their previous temporary office at Bazket-Bacolod on 15th Lacson Street. BTAO is now occupying a city-owned property at their new location.

In November last year, BTAO was first transferred to a new location from its previous office at the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to secure BCPO personnel and the headquarters from individuals retrieving their impounded vehicles.