Transport stakeholders divided over bike taxi services after court order

The Karnataka High Court’s decision allowing cycle taxi services to operate in the state has triggered strong reaction from many transport stakeholders; While cycle taxi drivers welcome the move, traditional transport operators fear a significant impact on their earnings.

Meanwhile, autorickshaw unions, transport federations and app-based labor groups have expressed concerns over safety, legality and livelihoods.

Autorickshaw drivers, who have long opposed the entry of cycle taxis, argue that cycle taxis pose both an economic threat and a safety risk to passengers.

According to them, expansion of cycle taxi services could impact daily incomes by diverting passengers away from autorickshaws and taxis.

“Allowing cycle taxis will be against the interest of auto and taxi drivers as our earnings will be affected. This will push many of us into financial distress,” said TM Rudramurthy, general secretary of Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU).

Bicycle taxis are eating into car customer base

. Drivers also claimed that many bike taxis were operating illegally, endangering passenger safety.

Prakash H., an auto driver from Jayanagar, pointed out that nearly two lakh automobiles operate on the city roads and lakhs of families depend on this profession. He argued that allowing whiteboard motorcycles to be used as bike taxis would make it easier for unregulated and unsafe operators to enter the market. “There were many cases of accidents, there were no helmets for pillion riders, it was unsafe for women riders and there were violations of safety norms by bike taxi drivers. Allowing such services will only worsen the situation,” he added.

security issues

Concerns were also raised by the Federation of Private Transport Associations of the State of Karnataka, which questioned whether personal two-wheelers would be allowed to operate as cycle taxis in the absence of an official government policy. Federation president S. Nataraj Sharma also said that issues related to safety and hygiene also need to be addressed and it remains to be seen how the government plans to regulate these issues.”

The Karnataka App-Based Workers Union has also highlighted similar concerns, particularly regarding the use of personal number plates. Inayath Ali, union president and vice-president of the Federation of App-Based Workers of India, urged the Transport Department to make it mandatory for bike taxi aggregators such as Rapido, Ola and Uber for all drivers to register their vehicles as commercial vehicles with yellow number plates.

“All other taxi services, including autos and taxis, follow this norm. Bicycle taxis should not be treated differently,” he said.

Mr Ali warned that allowing cycle taxis to operate using personal number plates poses risks to riders, commuters and the general public. “If bike taxis continue to use personal plates, everyone will be at risk. If it is acceptable for bike taxis, why aren’t taxis and cars allowed to use personal plates? The answer is simple, it is a safety issue,” he added.

Bicycle taxi drivers, meanwhile, argue that the service fills a key mobility gap in the city, particularly first- and last-mile connectivity to metro and bus stations. Rajath, a bike taxi driver from Bellandur, said, “Bike taxis offer an affordable, fast and accessible mode of transport, especially for working-class commuters, students and women. Many riders earn between ₹30,000 to ₹35,000 a month, which helps sustain their families.”