EIGHTY-TWO electric bicycles (e-bikes) have been seized by the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) for ferrying passengers without permits in less than two weeks.

The operations stemmed from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7’s order to stop e-bikes from plying government roads as these are illegal and place commuters at risk.

The seized e-bikes were spotted traveling along the streets of C. Padilla, Magallanes, Colon and Leon Kilat.

As of Thursday, July 25, 2019, the CCTO also seized 44 tricycles, 35 trisikads, nine tricycles with cage sidecars and a public utility jeepney.

Most of the apprehended drivers picked up passengers even if they did not have licenses, or their licenses had already expired.

CCTO officer-in-charge Andres Bayarcal said his office’s operations against motorists who violate traffic laws would continue every day.

He said he wants to see a smooth flow of traffic and prevent road incidents.

However, the operations take place only after rush hour as Bayarcal fears that the city’s traffic would crawl like a snail if his personnel apprehend drivers during peak hours.

The CCTO personnel are also seizing vehicles that are illegally parked. Bayarcal urged motorists to observe traffic rules for their own safety. (from Myla Tabio, CNU Comm Intern/KAL)