Karnataka’s Bike Taxi Ban Sparks Protests, Workarounds, and Last-Mile Woes

Karnataka's sweeping ban on bike taxis, which took effect on June 16, has plunged the livelihoods of over six lakh riders into turmoil, leaving commuters grappling with soaring fares and connectivity challenges. This decision, prompted by a directive from the Karnataka High Court, has sparked widespread protests and innovative workarounds from the affected platforms. 

 

Key Highlights: 

 

* More than 5,000 bike taxi riders from eight districts gathered in Bengaluru, urging the government to lift the ban and establish a regulatory framework to legitimize bike taxi services. 

* Riders express that the ban has wreaked havoc on families, driving many into poverty and making it difficult to cover essential expenses like rent and school fees. 

* Commuters have noticed a spike in travel costs and inadequate connectivity, particularly in Bengaluru and other major urban areas. 

* Platforms such as Rapido and Uber initially attempted to sidestep the ban by rebranding their bike taxi services as “parcel delivery,” but authorities swiftly intervened, confiscating over 100 bikes in undercover operations. 

* While the Central Government's guidelines allow for bike taxis, Karnataka currently lacks state-level regulations—its previous e-bike taxi policy was quietly repealed in 2024. 

* Tensions have also escalated with auto-rickshaw unions, who are against the reintroduction of bike taxis. 

 

Outlook: 

If Karnataka doesn't implement clear and enforceable regulations soon, both riders and commuters will continue to suffer the consequences of the ban. The state is under increasing pressure to align with the 19 other states that have legalized and regulated bike taxis, striving to find a balance between safety, livelihoods, and urban mobility.

 

Source: India Today