An expert panel constituted by the Karnataka government following a High Court directive has advised that private two-wheelers may continue to be used for app-based delivery services, but has firmly opposed legalising bike taxis.
The committee stated that bike taxis violate the Motor Vehicles Act, pose safety risks to both riders and passengers, and could further burden Bengaluru’s already stressed transportation network.
The panel, chaired by Karnataka Transport Secretary N.V. Prasad, has stated, “Bike taxis, though being claimed by the aggregators for their affordability, are, in reality, a disastrous blight on the city’s already overstressed transport ecosystem. These services, far from offering any true solution to the city’s mobility crisis, are exacerbating the very problems they purport to solve. In stark contrast to the claims of convenience and cost effectiveness, bike taxis serve only to deepen the city’s legal and infrastructural woes, contributing to a burgeoning cycle of congestion, safety hazards, and environmental degradation.”
The report added that a closer inspection of the fare disparity between bike taxis and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) exposes the glaring fallacy behind the claim that bike taxis offer a more economical option.
“While the cost of a 2-km ride on a bike taxi starts at approximately ₹48 and increases as per demand in time of day, the same journey on a BMTC bus starts at a minimum fare of ₹6 and ₹32 for a full-length journey of up to 25 to 30 km,” the report added.
Delivery services
Meanwhile, the report has clearly differentiated delivery services from passenger transport. The report stated that platforms like food delivery services transport goods, not passengers. “Goods can be transported by walking, bicycles or private two-wheelers, keeping delivery work within the realm of general commerce,” it stated.
It also notes that operating without proper permits and insurance puts both riders and passengers at financial and safety risk. Rather than framing new rules for bike taxis, the panel suggests tightening enforcement of current regulations and guiding riders towards legitimate gig-economy opportunities in delivery and service sectors under the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers Act.
Bike-taxi drivers writes to Chief Minister
Meanwhile, bike-taxi drivers in Karnataka have written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy, requesting a personal hearing before the government takes a final call on the proposed ban.
The Namma Bike Taxi Association, representing thousands of drivers in Bengaluru and nearby districts, has written to the government stating that they were never consulted before the State committee submitted its report to the High Court on November 16.
“The report, which recommends continuing the ban, has been criticised by drivers, industry associations, and policy experts for being one-sided and disconnected from reality,” a release from the association stated.
The association said that more than 1.5 lakh drivers have lost their livelihoods since the suspension of bike-taxi services and that many were unable to find alternative income sources.
Published – November 21, 2025 07:56 pm IST
