Bengaluru: Bike taxi services operated by companies such as Rapido and Uber have resumed in Bengaluru following a substantial ruling by the Karnataka High Court, which deemed the state government’s earlier ban on these services “thin” and “legally untenable.” The ban, enforced in June 2025 over safety and regulatory concerns, had left thousands of commuters stranded and forced to rely on costlier and less convenient modes of transport.

Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru, leading the bench, stated that bike taxis are not a luxury but an essential form of affordable last-mile connectivity in urban areas. The court highlighted that bike taxi services are legally recognised and operational in at least 13 other states across India. It rejected the government’s argument that the Motor Vehicles Act prohibits such services, emphasising that mere lack of regulation cannot justify a blanket ban that infringes upon the right to livelihood under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.

Following the judgment, Rapido and Uber promptly reinstated their bike taxi operations in Bengaluru, while Ola has yet to resume services. The court instructed the Advocate General to ensure that no punitive measures are taken against bike taxi drivers during ongoing deliberations. The Advocate General assured the court that the government is actively working at the highest levels to formulate a comprehensive policy for regulating bike taxis, with the next court hearing scheduled for September 22, 2025.

The ban had unintended consequences, including a surge in auto-rickshaw fares and increased traffic congestion, which further drew public criticism. Autorickshaw unions have remained vocal in opposition to bike taxis, complicating policy discussions.

The central government’s Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines of 2025 allow private motorcycles to be used for passenger transport, contingent on state government approval—an update that has influenced Karnataka’s move towards regulation rather than prohibition.

Bike taxi operators and advocacy groups have welcomed the court’s decision, expressing their readiness to collaborate with authorities in establishing a safe, legal, and sustainable framework for bike taxi services in Bengaluru.