LTO Halts e-Bike and e-Trike Impounding; Strict Enforcement Pushed to January 2026

LTO (Land Transportation Office) announced the suspension of impounding e-bikes and e-trikes, easing the tension among riders affected by the recent crackdown. The agency clarified that strict enforcement will still be implemented in January 2026, providing owners with temporary relief while they prepare the requirements.

Why the LTO Put the e-Bike and e-Trike Impounding Policy on Hold

After receiving pushback from the public, especially from the riders, LTO put the e-bike and e-trike impounding policy on hold. The agency announced that strict implementation will now take effect in January 2026, giving the public more time to understand the rules and prepare for compliance. Other factors that put the rules on hold are:

• Public confusion over the sudden impounding operations
• Complaints raised by riders and affected communities
• Lack of clear information on the proper guidelines and requirements
• Reports of inconsistent application by some traffic enforcers
• Need for additional time before full enforcement in January 2026

Risks of e-Bikes and e-Trikes Travelling on Major Roads

Research on micromobility safety shows that e-bikes and e-trikes face higher risks when travelling on major roads designed for faster and heavier vehicles. A report by the International Transport Forum (2020) found that crash severity increases when low-speed electric units operate in high-speed traffic because they cannot match the flow of larger vehicles. Studies also show that riders are more vulnerable to serious injuries on primary roads where vehicle speeds exceed the safe operating limits of e-bikes and e-trikes (Zhang et al., 2017). Another study identified stability and braking limitations as additional factors that increase the risk of crashes involving these units (Zhang et al., 2022).

These risks become clearer when looking at how e-bikes and e-trikes behave in fast moving traffic:

• Speed differences increase the likelihood of collisions on major roads.
• Smaller electric units become harder for larger vehicles to see, especially during lane changes.
• Limited structural protection results in more severe injuries when accidents occur.
• Lightweight frames lose stability when exposed to fast-moving or heavy vehicles.
• Slower acceleration and braking delay a rider’s response to sudden hazards.

References:

International Transport Forum. (2020). Safer micromobility. OECD Publishing. https://www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/safer-micromobility.pdf

Zhang, G., Yao, M., and Zhang, Y. (2017). What factors impact injury severity of vehicle to electric bike crashes in China. Journal of Safety Research, 62, 135 to 142. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319276141

Zhang, L., Chen, Y., Li, H., and Xu, P. (2022). Risk factors for road traffic injuries associated with e-bikes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5186. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/9/5186

Vassilev, D., Shapiro, A., and McGuire, K. (2025). Injury patterns and safety implications for electric bikes. Traffic Injury Prevention, 26(2), 145 to 152. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15389588.2025.2543497