Tag: electric

Electric bike (e-bike) crashes in Metro Manila total 556 in 2023

Electric bike (e-bike) crashes in Metro Manila total 556 in 2023

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Recently the Philippine Star published a news report revealing that electric bike (e-bike) crashes in Metro Manila reached a total of 556 with Quezon City having the most number of such crashes at almost 100.

While the report was published almost a month ago, the details are still relevant as more people are discussing the disadvantages of e-bikes (note: this includes the electric tricycles or e-trikes) which until now remain unregulated under the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Here in South Metro Manila, the e-bike crashes in the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa combined for 90.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine Star news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said that there were 556 crash incidents of electric bikes (e-bikes) in Metro Manila in 2023.

According to LTFRB’s data sent to reporters, the e-bike crashes in the National Capital Region (NCR) resulted in 281 instances of property damage, 273 non-fatal injuries and two fatal injuries.

Crash incidents peaked in August 2023 with 64 cases, while the (lowest) recorded (total) to 26 cases in November 2023.

Quezon City posted the highest number of incidents among cities in the NCR with 96 e-bike crash cases. Of these, 42 are recorded as property damage with 54 non-fatal injuries.

Following Quezon City in the total number of crash incidents are these areas:

  • Marikina- 72
  • Taguig- 71
  • Manila- 52
  • Parañaque- 46
  • Makati- 39
  • Caloocan- 36
  • Pasig- 36
  • Las Piñas- 29
  • Pasay- 22
  • Muntinlupa- 15
  • Mandaluyong- 14
  • Valenzuela 11
  • Pateros- 7
  • San Juan- 7
  • Malabon- 2
  • Navotas- 1

In November 2023, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) proposed the mandatory registration of e-bikes, saying that only registered e-bikes should be allowed to use public roads.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent report? Are you convinced that by design, electric bikes and electric tricycles were not really made to be safe for its drivers and passengers when traveling along major roads? Are you convinced that e-bikes and e-trikes are so slow moving, they made the flow of traffic on major roads worse? When do you think the LTO will come up with major reforms needed to have all e-bikes and e-trikes regulated and registered? Have you reached out to your city’s council members to have all electric bikes banned from traveling on major roads? Did you spot any e-trike in your city driven by minors recently?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

LTO considering mandatory registration of all types of e-bikes

LTO considering mandatory registration of all types of e-bikes

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Did you notice electronic/electric bikes (e-bikes) traveling a lot on major roads in cities and causing traffic congestion (due to slow speed and weak acceleration) or even road accidents? Was there an e-bike that sparked a fire in your residential community? Things might change a lot for owners/users of e-bikes as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced that it is considering mandatory registration of all e-bikes, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

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.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think it is high time to implement the mandatory registration of all e-bikes nationwide as well as the requirement for e-bike drivers to have driver’s licenses? Considering the slow speed and weak acceleration of e-bikes, do you think they should be banned from traveling on major roads?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 8

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 8

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Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

Godzilla videos in preparation for the new Japanese Godzilla movie

In case you missed the news due to the excessive amount of entertainment developments, there is indeed a brand new Japanese-produced movie of Godzilla (Gojira in Japan) titled Godzilla Minus One which will open in cinemas in Japan this November and in America this December. You can check out my post about Godzilla Minus One by clicking here.

With renewed interest in Toho’s Godzilla sparked in moviegoers’ minds, here are some videos that can help you get to know Japan’s iconic giant monster better before the new movie comes out.

Forza Motorsport (2023)

The much awaited big-budget simulation racing game Forza Motorsport (2023) is coming out on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass within a few days from now for its general release. The big-budget Xbox-exclusive racing game is actually available via early access to those who paid extra for the privilege via the Premium Edition. As with tradition, gaming media outlets produced several video previews and updates of the game recently as the release date came closer and here are the videos you must watch on YouTube. Already Forza Motorsport (2023) received acclaim from critics (click here, here, here and here). Take note that this is the first new Forza Motorsport video game since 2017.

Stay away electric vehicles (EVs) as they could kill you

No matter what the Leftists and climate change extremists do, I personally reject electric vehicles (EVs) and the elimination of fossil fuel and the lessening of energy choices for consumers. No matter what flashy publicity and loud talking points were made, I am not convinced that electric vehicles are safe enough to use for daily travel. In fact, many EV makers don’t want you to know that when their vehicles spark into flames, the fire is much harder to put out and often requires a higher amount of water to do so. Why is that EVs spark and become major fire hazards on the street (and even burn down homes) can be realized in the videos below.

Music video of New Life Music’s worship song Testimony

The music team of New Life Philippines released the official music video (note: backstage sessions specifically) of their newest worship song Testimony. Written by Nash Soliven, Camille Cuna, Erican Reyes, Timothy Mena, Charity Patricio, Josiah Patricio and Sam Mokamad, Testimony reflects the meaning of Revelation 19:10 in the Holy Bible and it was made to strengthen people’s faith in the Lord and believe He is still moving no matter how bad things are around us in this very divided world we live in. The song will remind you about having the testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Watch the official music video by New Life Music below.

Visit the Pool of Siloam in Israel

As some of you may have known by now, I went to Israel on a pilgrimage tour with my local church which was hosted by a very good Israeli strategic partner who ensured everything was in order. Among the many sites we visited in the Holy Land was the Pool of Siloam which was the very place where a blind man (born with blindness) got healed because he followed the instructions of our Lord and Savior Jesus without hesitation. For reference, read John 9:1-11 in the Holy Bible.

You can read my Pool of Siloam feature article by clicking here. I also have several other Israel 2023 articles on this website and I hope they will inspire you to visit the Holy Land in Israel to deepen your faith in the Lord. It is in Israel where the Holy Bible comes to life!

Watch the videos – including my very own video at the place – about the Pool of Siloam below.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

My Observations: Las Piñas Is Modernizing Public Transportation With Electric Tricycles (E-Trikes)

My Observations: Las Piñas Is Modernizing Public Transportation With Electric Tricycles (E-Trikes)

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In recent times the City Government of Las Piñas headed by its Mayor Imelda “Mel” Aguilar has been making a lot of progress with modernizing public transportation within its jurisdiction by releasing to local tricycle drivers and operators electric tricycle (e-trike) units that they received from the Department of Energy (DOE).

The DOE donated 100 e-trikes to Las Piñas which in turn coordinated with the varied tricycle operators from the city’s twenty barangays. On April 5, 2019, the City Government’s Facebook page posted pictures of its most recent turnover of e-trikes to specific operators. Posted below is one of them.

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Las Piñas City Government officials with the recipients in a turnover ceremony at City Hall. (photo by Shawnette Ramos for City of Las Piñas Facebook page)

Right below is a picture of electric tricycle units that I photographed during my visit at Las Piñas City Hall.

IMG_20190125_104451~2.jpg
From my visit at Las Piñas City Hall.

The future of local public transportation in the city is looking bright. Once these electric tricycles go into full operation, the following is expected to happen:

  1. A more comfortable ride for passengers thanks to the new tricycle design. The e-trike is one whole unit (versus the motorcycle linked with a passenger-carrying unit of the old tricycle design).
  2. Reduction on noise pollution because there is no fuel-based engine.
  3. Reduction on air pollution because there is no fuel-based engine and no exhaust.
  4. Complete avoidance on spending money on fuel which by the liter, as of this writing, is expensive. Recharging, not refueling, is the way for E-Trike operators to recover and keep operating the next day.

Think about it carefully. E-Trikes can bring passengers through the quiet villages more safely, quieter and without adding anymore air pollution that would affect families at their homes.

Now that the benefits of E-Trikes have been discussed, it’s time to take a close look as to how these positive developments in Las Piñas happened in the first place.

The answer is City Ordinance Number 1536-18 (Series of 2018). and below is a summary of the details written on it.

The Ordinance

Formally titled “An Ordinance Allowing The Operation of E-Trike in The City of Las Pinas and Providing Guideliness Thereto.”, with “E-Trike Ordinance” as the shorter title, City Ordinance Number 1536-18 (Series of 2018) was approved by the City Council and Mayor Aguilar on May 28, 2018. As written on the Ordinance, it was deemed that the adoption of the e-trike project is a necessary step in combating unreasonable high oil prices and ending dependency on oil. The E-Trike was viewed to be eco-friendly, noise-free and air pollution-free. It has the potential to generate higher income for operators and even create new jobs.

Section 2 of the Ordinance states: The City of Las Pinas fully supports the national government’s e-tricle project. It is also committed in enforcing the applicable provisions of the Clean Air Act and in addressing community concerns about high oil prices, pollution and health hazard as well as in providing new job opportunities.

Section 4 (E-trike Franchise Grant) legalizes the use of electric tricycles within the territorial jurisdiction of the city. For this purpose, one hundred units of three-wheeled electric power driven vehicle or e-trike shall be granted franchise by the City of Las Pinas through the Sangguniang Panglunsod.

Section 5 (Guidelines) states that no e-trike franchise shall be granted unless the unit utilizes environmental-friendly batteries as determined by the Environment and Natural Resources Office, has an on-board charger and is deemed roadworthy while also possessing the required safety features.

The individual applicant is an actual resident and registered voter of the city. The transport cooperative may be granted in its name up to five franchises subject to compliance with the qualification requirements of the drivers.

For E-Trike Rent-To-Own Program or variations thereof and/or meanwhile that the ownership of the unit is not yet fully transferred to the intended buyer, a provisional franchise may be granted in favor of the proponent. Provided, that the qualification requirements of the intended buyers or drivers of the vehicle are complied with.

Section 6 (Parts Availability) – the proponent shall make available within the city such parts as may be needed for the continued operation of the E-Trike.

Section 7 (Charging Stations) – charging stations shall be established in strategic public places in the city. For the total franchises herein fixed, no less than two charging stations shall be required of the proponents to establish. In this regard, not all contemplated franchises shall be issued by the Sangguniang Panglunsod unless the establishment of the charging stations is assured or completed.

Section 8 (Incentives) – Franchisees shall be granted a 50% discount on all fees applicable to trimobiles specifically the franchise fee, the annual supervision fee, the mayor’s permit fee, the legal research fee, the sticker fee and the police inspection fee.

If you wish to obtain copies of the Ordinance, visit City Hall.

Conclusion

With the E-Trike Ordinance in full force, Las Piñas City is clearly on its way forward with modernizing public transportation within its jurisdiction using electric tricycles which serve passengers traveling between the important city roads and the villages.

As far as South Metro Manila is concerned, Las Piñas has joined the electric vehicle bandwagon with Muntinlupa City (which has e-trikes and electric jeepneys already for years) for public transportation.

The City of Parañaque meanwhile remains behind. Last time I checked at Parañaque City Hall, they don’t even have a draft ordinance needed to legalize the use of electric vehicles for public transportation.

Speaking of Parañaque, I can’t forget the embarrassing failed launch of the electric tricycle project of the BF Federation of Homeowner Associations, Inc. (BFFHAI) of 2016. From the way things looked back then, BFFHAI failed to verify if Parañaque (which occupies a huge portion of BF Homes subdivision) had any ordinance legalizing the use of electric vehicles for public transportation. Back then, Las Piñas (which occupies another large portion of BF Homes subdivision) obviously did not have a similar ordinance.

Right now in South Metro Manila, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa are leading the way for public commuters with electric vehicles.

My Observations: Still No Draft Proposal For Electric Vehicles At Parañaque City (February 21, 2019 update)

My Observations: Still No Draft Proposal For Electric Vehicles At Parañaque City (February 21, 2019 update)

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I revisited Parañaque City Hall today to find out if there were any breakthroughs with regards to legalizing/legitimizing the use of electric vehicles for public transportation use within the city.

The result of my visit? NO PROGRESS whatsoever! According to my sources there, NOT EVEN A DRAFT PROPOSAL was made nor submitted by any member of the City Council until now (February 21, 2019).

This lack of progress to modernize public transportation in Parañaque is indeed disturbing. The City Government of Muntinlupa approved legislation for electric vehicles for public transportation years ago which explains why electric jeepneys (e-jeep) and electric tricycles (e-trikes) are present within the city and commuters have been riding them. At nearby Las Piñas City, their approval of an electric tricycle ordinance since May 2018 resulted their receiving of a donation of one hundred e-trike units from the Department of Energy and already many of those said units have bee deployed to barangays around the city through the different Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs).

LPetrike
On November 2018, City Government officials of Las Pinas formally received from the Department of Energy (DOE) one hundred electric tricycle (e-trike) units as a donation and the City’s Electric Tricycle ordinance (approved May 2018) made that possible. (photo source – City of Las Pinas Facebook page)

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A few of the 100 electric tricycles (e-trikes) donated by the DOE to Las Pinas. (photo source – City of Las Pinas Facebook page)

Going back to Parañaque, which was where I grew up in long ago, it is mind boggling that even though the national government has been heavily pushing for public utility vehicles modernization (or PUV Modernization) using technology that is cleaner, safe, more comfortable and less noisy, the City Government under mayor Edwin Olivarez still has not made any moves to legalize e-vehicles as a viable form of public transportation for the commuters. Safe to say, Parañaque is now behind Las Pinas and Muntinlupa on PUV modernization and commuters have no choice but to ride those noisy, unsafe and air-polluting tricycles and jeepneys.

No political will, no legislation and certainly no PUV modernization.

What is very funny is that mayor Olivarez has posed for pictures with electric vehicles more than once! Look at these pictures I found.

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Parañaque’s mayor (7th from left) posing for pictures during the July 2016 launch of the FAILED electric tricycle project of the BF Federation of Homeowner Association, Inc. (BFFHAI), BFCOM and Barangay BF Homes. The project was launched but never went into full operation due to legal and technical problems. Of course, the City had NO ORDINANCE to legitimize such a project. It comes to show that the project handlers failed to do their research on the legality of e-vehicles for public transportation. (photo source – Ecos Efi Facebook page)

OlivarezTrike
In April 2017, Parañaque’s mayor (seated at the back) rode a solar-electric tricycle of Star 8 during a demonstration at Parañaque City Hall. It was all just a show. (photo source – Mayor Edwin Olivarez Facebook page)

All that posing in front of photographers. Smiling with guests. Looking handsome. Still no breakthrough!

With the next local election happening on May this year, it remains to be seen if the incumbent City Government officials will do anything to improve public transportation for the many commuters of the city. Those commuters have no choice but to endure the high noise and dirty air when traveling within the city.

If you are a concerned citizen and you want reforms to happen, better write formal letters to the City Council members, the City Administrator (Fernando Ding Soriano), the Vice Mayor (Rico Golez) and the Mayor himself.

Watch out for my next electric vehicles update. I got something significant coming.

Thank you for reading. If you found this article to be engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco.

Parañaque still has no ordinance to legitimize electric vehicles for public transportation

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On display at the grounds of Parañaque City Hall was this large solar-powered electric tricycle (e-trike). The irony is that Parañaque itself has no law to legitimize electric vehicles for public transportation.

The love and care for the natural environment is often present in the minds of people who manage the city government. Really nobody wants to live in a city filled with scattered garbage, lots of air pollution and poor drainage.

An extension of the care for the environment is the focus on the use of electric vehicles which generate much less noise and much less air pollution. Here in the Southern portion of Metro Manila, the cities of Muntinlupa and Las Pinas respectively have laws that legitimized the use of electric vehicles for public transportation purposes.

This means that commuters can choose to ride a jeepney or a tricycle that runs on electric power whenever they are available in public. When they do ride an e-vehicle, there is much less noise and air pollution created by their ride. Potentially more e-vehicles replacing those gasoline/diesel-burning vehicles can bring down air pollution and improve the quality of air in the city.

Recently the Department of Energy (DOE) donated 150 electric tricycle units to the City of Muntinlupa and 100 electric tricycle units to the City of Las Pinas (which subsequently turned them over to local tricycle operators).

As for the nearby City of Parañaque……ZERO!

Considering the huge population of Parañaque and the City Government’s strong advocacy of environmental care and city cleanliness under the leadership of incumbent mayor Edwin Olivarez, it is weird that nothing has been done to legitimize the use of e-vehicles for public transportation.

I was at Parañaque City Hall on January 23 and during my visit I checked thoroughly with officials there to verify if there is any existing law (or city ordinance) that would make public transportation with electric vehicles happen.

As it turned out, officials confirmed to me that no such ordinance has been approved until now.

What is even more disturbing, as I kept on digging for answers, was the confirmation that there is not even a draft proposal submitted for legislation!

For as long as no city ordinance has been approved to legalize the use of e-vehicles for public transportation, Parañaque’s streets (including those inside villages) will be occupied by fossil fuel-guzzling jeepneys, buses and tricycles that are not only making the air dirty but also remain noisy and even unsafe and uncomfortable (due to outdated vehicular designs) for commuters to ride.

This also means that no village administrator can just establish and fully operate its own line of electric tricycles within the city. Back in 2016 in BF Homes, the BF Federation of Homeowner Associations, Inc. (BFFHAI) launched its line of electric tricycles with mayor Olivarez and vice mayor Rico Golez as special guests. Because they were in Parañaque (which has a huge jurisdiction of BF Homes subdivision) and there was no ordinance to legalize the use of electric vehicles for public transportation within the city, the BFFHAI’s e-trikes were not accepted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and they were not fully operated. As such, those electric tricycles got wasted and was limited to being parked at the side of the BF Homes clubhouse along Elsie Gatches street. Because pictures of those parked electric tricycles became public viewed, the federation quietly had them removed.

Until now Parañaque remains behind Muntinlupa and Las Pinas when it comes to using technology to improve public transportation and reducing air and noise pollution at the same time. For the past few years, Muntinlupa has electric jeepneys on public roads and some electric tricycles serving villagers. In Las Pinas, the number of electric tricycles serving local communities is slowly growing which is the result of their City Council and Mayor approving the “E-trike Ordinance” (City Ordinance Number 1536-18, Series of 2018) on May 28, 2018. Back to Parañaque, no legislation means no progressive change will happen.

It is notable that Parañaque lost its edge when it comes to city competitiveness nationwide. According to the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index 2018 released during the 6th Regional Competitiveness Summit, Parañaque ranked only #21. Even provincial cities like Bacolod and Naga are way ahead at numbers 9 and 10 respectively. With these mentioned, Parañaqu

After finding out the truth about the lack of a law for the public transportation use of e-vehicles in Parañaque, I walked out of the building and as I moved on further on City Hall grounds, I saw two electric tricycle units (made by Star 8) on display at an environment-oriented exhibit. I pictured the more elaborate e-trike (the one above).

Wow. Think about that. Electric tricycles on display in a city that does not even allow electric vehicles to be used to serve commuters publicly.

Before I forget, let me state that the City Government was celebrating the 18th anniversary of Republic Act Number 9003 which is the national law on ecological solid waste management which itself emphasizes care and responsibility of the environment.

Now when will Parañaque’s officials start working to legitimize e-vehicles for public transportation? If you are a certified city resident who wants to see those fuel-burning public utility vehicles be replaced gradually with e-vehicles, consider taking time out to write letters to the city government officials. Even though there is an upcoming democratic exercise in the form of a local election on May 2019, communicating with your officials is still recommended.

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this article, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format.