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Strap (Page 1): Bangalore’s bike taxis speed back, fuelling commuter joy, auto driver anxiety, and a High Court-regulation showdown

Strap (Page 7): High Court questions blanket ban, clears path for regulated bike taxis while city debates safety, fairness & livelihoods

Blurb:

Within hours after the news broke, commuters were spotted hopping onto two-wheelers for quick rides across the city. But the comeback hasn’t come without friction. Social media lit up with debates—some hailing the move as a win for commuters, others warning of chaos.

Byline: Ravi Kiran

Bangalore’s familiar buzz grew louder on Thursday as bike taxis returned to city roads after a two-month hiatus. Ride-hailing giants Uber, Rapido, and Ola quietly switched the feature back on, hours after the Karnataka High Court pulled up the state government over its blanket ban on the service.

The response was immediate. Within hours, commuters were spotted hopping onto two-wheelers for quick rides across the city. “They are a must for quick transport. People now realise the importance of two-wheeler taxis,” posted SK Reddy, a user on X.

But the comeback hasn’t come without friction. Social media lit up with debates—some hailing the move as a win for commuters, others warning of chaos.

On Facebook, Shankar Reddy argued for clear regulations: “Now that bike taxis are being allowed to resume, private vehicles with whiteboards should not be permitted to operate as commercial vehicles. The rule must be clear—if they are to be rented out, they should be converted into yellow-board number plates legally.”

Safety and turf-war concerns also surfaced. “Wonder what the auto drivers are gonna do now… Hope they don’t start roughing up the bike taxi drivers and their riders,” wrote a user under the handle elitedangerous.

Meanwhile, sections of the public voiced fears over the impact on Bangalore’s vast auto-rickshaw network. Some accused multinational firms of undercutting local drivers. “These startups like Rapido enter with cheap prices, make people addicted, and later increase fares exponentially. Just don’t encourage such companies,” posted @realIndia323.

For now, the return of bike taxis has clearly split opinion. While urban commuters cheer the convenience, the road ahead may see heated battles over safety, fairness, and livelihoods.

 

The comeback saga

So, what triggered the midweek roar of bike taxis across Bangalore after a two-month pause? The answer lies in a landmark hearing at the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday.

The two-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi, questioned why the state government chose prohibition over regulation. Addressing the government, the court urged it to give “serious thought” to the matter, noting that many lives depended on accessible, affordable transport. The matter has been adjourned to September 22 for further consideration.

The hearing was part of appeals filed by ride-hailing giants Ola, Uber, and Rapido on August 20. The bench observed that bike taxis are legally operational in 13 states and recognised as a legitimate trade under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.

The judges described the ban in Karnataka as a “de facto prohibition”, emphasising that while the state may regulate the sector, it cannot outrightly ban a legitimate trade. The Central Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025 also permit bike taxi operations, provided state approval is in place.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters that the High Court has granted the state a month to decide on framing a bike taxi policy. He clarified, however, that the court has not yet formally allowed service providers to resume operations. The minister added that any decision will be taken after consultations with enforcement agencies.

Adi Narayan, president of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, welcomed the court’s remarks, noting that they reaffirmed both the legality and necessity of bike taxis in modern urban transport. He said the court had highlighted the critical role bike taxis play in providing affordable, safe, and efficient last-mile connectivity, stressing that they are “not a luxury but a necessity” and also underscoring the protection of livelihood rights.

Narayan added that the development should push the state government to focus on creating a robust regulatory framework rather than continuing an outright ban.

Bike taxis were banned in Karnataka on June 16, forcing office-goers to turn to costlier three-wheelers, cabs, or crowded public transport. The prohibition followed a directive by Justice B Shyam Prasad on April 2, which had ordered services to halt unless the state framed rules and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.

With the High Court’s strong stance, Bangalore commuters now see a likely return of the once-popular two-wheeler rides—legal, regulated, and ready to zoom across city streets once more.