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3mo ago

Bike Taxi Services Halt Across Karnataka After High Court Upholds Ban

Authorities began seizing motorcycles under the June 16 ban, prompting calls for a regulatory framework to safeguard gig workers.

The Karnataka government had earlier ordered bike taxi aggregators to cease operations, citing the need for proper rules and safety measures.
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Bike taxis in Bengaluru were banned from June 16.

Overview

  • The Karnataka High Court ruled on June 13 that app-based bike taxi operations must cease from June 16 until the state establishes regulatory norms under the Motor Vehicles Act.
  • Major aggregators Rapido, Ola and Uber removed bike taxi options from their apps, with Rapido offering a “bike parcel” service as a temporary workaround.
  • Transport authorities seized more than 100 motorcycles and fined noncompliant riders on June 16, leaving commuters to rely on costlier autorickshaws and public transport.
  • Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy reiterated that the government will not draft a dedicated bike taxi policy and maintains that private-registered two-wheelers cannot be used commercially.
  • Industry bodies including Nasscom, IAMAI and the Namma Bike Taxi Association have urged the state to introduce comprehensive licensing, safety and insurance guidelines to protect livelihoods and restore affordable mobility.