What are some safety tips for riding an electric scooter?
- Stay within barangay roads
- Drive on bicycle lanes
- Wear protective helmets and gear
- Inspect the scooter regularly
- Keep both hands on the handlebar
- Equip proper lights
With the increasing number of electric scooter riders, regulations about its operation must be clarified before venturing out to the road.
A common question is: Do you need a license for an electric scooter in the Philippines? The answer is no. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) released a set of guidelines for smaller electric vehicles.
The LTO Administrative Order (AO) 2021-39 states that electric kick scooter operators do not require a driver’s license or vehicle registration. However, it also tackles guidelines on riding one.
This article shows everything you need to know about riding an electric scooter in the Philippines and safety guidelines for you to follow. Continue reading to learn more!
Stay within barangay roads
It can be tempting to take your electric scooter places since it’s a quick, convenient, and sustainable form of transportation. However, you need to always check on what roads you are allowed to ride on. Government offices specify this for safety purposes.
In the Philippines, the LTO specifies the roads on which electric scooters can be driven. The LTO AO 2021-39 states that these are only limited to barangay roads. That means you are free to ride on local roads inside your village and barangay.
Drive on bicycle lanes
In some instances, you can be allowed to drive your electric scooter on bigger roads in the city. LTO AO 2021-29 also states that scooters can also be operated on bicycle lanes and other similar lanes designated by authorities.
With the rise of cyclists in the Philippines, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has inaugurated a bike lane network found within Metro Manila. This is the longest bike lane in the country spans 313 kilometers and cuts through 12 cities in the National Capital Region – Caloocan, Las Pinas, Makati, Manila, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasay, Pasig, Paranaque, Quezon City, San Juan, and Taguig.
You can differentiate bicycle lanes from motorist lanes because of the concrete delineators and flexible rubber bollards. The pavements are also painted white and green with bike symbols drawn every few meters.
Wear protective helmets and gear
Safety always comes first! Many things are beyond your control on the road. It’s difficult to prevent all crashes, so the least you can do as a responsible scooter owner is to be prepared.
Always put on safety gear before your rides, and the helmet is the most important one of all. In the Philippines, LTO AO 2021-39 requires all electric scooter riders to wear one while operating the vehicle.
Strapping on a helmet can easily protect you and lessen injuries. It reduces the chances of having severe injuries in the event you are in a vehicular accident.
Inspect the scooter regularly
Electric scooters are just like any other vehicle. It also requires regular maintenance since riding them regularly can wear the scooter down.
As a responsible vehicle owner, you should take the time to learn about the different parts of the electric scooter. This can help you pinpoint the problems you may encounter while riding or during your routine inspection.
Before riding, check the tires of your scooter. This is especially important for scooters with pneumatic or air-filled tires. The wheels should have the right amount of pressure as your ride.
Next, check the folding mechanism of your scooter. This can usually be found at the best of its stem. It must always be secured in place to avoid major accidents.
Lastly, test out the brakes of your scooter. Never attempt to go on the road if your brakes are not functioning properly.
Equip proper lights
A disadvantage of many electric scooters is their lack of proper lighting. This can be dangerous, especially when riding at night. It’s not only important that you can see the road in front of you but also as important for other vehicles to see you.
The front lights of most scooters don’t have enough power to illuminate the road in front of you. It can be better to attach an external light to your scooter. When you do this, tilt it downwards so you blind oncoming traffic.
Certain scooters have swag lighting. These are the LED lights that run along either the stem or the deck of the scooter. This is not a substitute for a front light. Swag lighting only helps increase your visibility on the road.
Keep both hands on the handlebar
Riding a scooter or any kind of vehicle is dangerous. It can be tempting to check your phone’s notification or even take a sip of water while riding, but it’s not safe at all. This can lead to you falling, leaving you with scratches, bumps, or sometimes even a broken bone.
That’s why it’s important to keep both hands on the handlebar at all times. Taking one hand off makes it difficult to balance the vehicle.
Key Takeaway
So, do you need a license for an electric scooter in the Philippines? No. You simply need to follow the regulations provided by the Land Transportation Office, but you should also take steps to ensure your safety.
To get the best electric scooters in the Philippines, you can take a look at our product catalog here at Simply Moving. We are an official distributor of Ninebot Segway electric scooters. You may also contact us here if you have any further inquiries or concerns.
