Regulate e-bikes entering Carbon, market execs urged

LOCAL police officials in Cebu City are recommending to the managers of the Carbon Public Market to regulate the entry of electric bicycles (e-bikes) along the market’s roads.

This, as Cebu City police officials have found that the e-bikes plying at the market are reportedly causing traffic jams there.

The recommendation was made during a command conference with Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and Cebu City Market Authority officials on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy police director for operations, said the e-bikes plying at the market were their next target after successfully preventing privately-owned vehicles from entering the Carbon Public Market during the Holy Week.

Parilla said when they allowed private vehicles to enter the market premises again after the Holy Week, they noticed that many e-bikes were caught parking in non-parking areas.

Some traffic enforcers attempted to apprehend erring e-bike drivers but they could not issue them citation tickets because the e-bikes are not considered motorized vehicles.

“They are not allowed to ply or park in the market. But since this is main source of income for some people, we decided to recommend to regulate their presence,” Parilla said.

Parilla said regulating the presence of e-bikes within the Carbon Public Market’s vicinity can ease traffic there.

Meanwhile, Parilla said the augmented personnel deployed by the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas at the Carbon Public Market during the Holy Week have been recalled to the regional headquarters.

But despite the recall of PRO 7’s augmented force, Parilla said personnel from CCPO’s Carbon Police Station will continue to secure the area. (AYB / JKV)