The restriction came into force after the Karnataka High Court on June 13 declined to stay a lower-court order and upheld an April 2 directive that suspended bike-taxi operations until the state government formulated rules under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The High Court had mandated that such regulations be in place by June 15, and when the government missed this deadline, the ban automatically kicked in.
Two-wheeler ride-hailing had become a game-changer for Bengaluru’s congested commute, offering budget-friendly, flexible, and fast first- and last-mile connectivity. The ban has now forced commuters to pivot to costlier modes like autos and cabs, or to endure overcrowded BMTC buses and limited metro services.
“I live in Yelahanka and need to reach my college in J. P. Nagar by 8:30 a.m. A bike taxi cost me around ₹150–₹200 one way…it was already steep, but manageable. Now I’m paying nearly double for autos. I tried buses, but at peak hours they’re packed. I’m left with no option,” said Sumeda Hemant, a student.
“Navigating narrow lanes and one-way streets was so much easier on a bike taxi,” added S. Bijoy, who works at Bagmane Tech Park in C.V. Raman Nagar. “Now, I have to drive a car in traffic. Public transport is not always reliable.”
Another ripple effect of the ban has been the loss of part-time employment opportunities for college students and working professionals who relied on bike taxi platforms like Rapido and Uber Moto to earn extra income. For many, especially those juggling classes or entry-level jobs, the flexibility of logging in during their free hours and making quick trips around the city offered a much-needed financial cushion.
“I used to work for a couple of hours in the evenings after class, especially on weekends. It helped me cover my expenses without having to rely on my parents all the time,” said Kishore N, a student of commerce at a private college in Koramangala. “Now that option is gone, and it’s hard to find another job that pays this decently for just a few hours of work.”
Several young professionals, too, had turned to these platforms to supplement their income amidst rising living costs in the city. For them, the sudden halt has not only affected mobility but also impacted their monthly budgets.
This is not the first time bike taxis have faced regulatory hurdles in Karnataka. The issue has long been contentious, with arguments surrounding legality, safety, and competition with auto unions. The government’s primary justification for the ban is that two-wheeler taxis are not legally covered under the existing motor vehicle laws, and there are concerns over passenger safety and insurance coverage in case of accidents.
However, mobility experts say that banning them altogether is not a sustainable solution. “Bike taxis were solving a real urban mobility problem, especially first and last-mile connectivity. Instead of banning them, the state should work towards creating a regulatory framework that ensures both safety and affordability,” said Sangeetha Rao, an urban planner and transport researcher.
Indeed, companies like Rapido and Uber Moto had been widely popular in the city due to their affordability and the ease with which they could zip through narrow lanes and congested areas. For many users, particularly those in areas not well connected by BMTC buses or the Namma Metro, these services were a lifeline.
“I work night shifts and live in a PG in Indiranagar. Taking a cab at 4 a.m. is just not safe or affordable for me. A bike taxi would drop me home in 15 minutes. Now, I have to plan two hours ahead and rely on friends to drop me,” said Amrutha K, a BPO employee.
Bike taxi drivers, too, are among the worst hit. Many of them are daily wage earners who invested in bikes just to work on ride-hailing platforms. “I took a loan to buy a bike for Rapido. Now I have no job. We should have been given time or another option,” said Syed Rafiq, who had been working as a full-time Rapido driver for over two years.
While the state government has stated that it is working on creating a legal framework to eventually regularise such services, it remains unclear how long that process will take. Meanwhile, thousands of users and drivers are caught in a lurch—struggling to find affordable, fast, and safe transport options in a city already infamous for its snarling traffic.
Until then, commuters in Bengaluru will have to depend on overburdened public transport or shell out significantly more for daily rides—unless a timely intervention or legal review provides them relief.
