High Court upholds ban
- On June 13, 2025, the Karnataka High Court ruled that bike‑taxi services violate the Motor Vehicles Act, rejecting appeals from aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, and deeming operations illegal without a formal regulatory framework
Immediate halt across platforms
- By June 16, apps removed bike‑taxi options. Rapido officially “paused” services, while Uber and Ola initially offered rides before swiftly withdrawing them
Enforcement action begins
- Transport inspectors seized over 100 two‑wheelers on the first day in Bengaluru. Authorities noted attempts by aggregators to reclassify “bike parcel” services as a workaround for passenger transport
Aggregators attempt ‘parcel’ workaround
- Rapido and Uber briefly introduced “bike parcel” or “parcel‑as‑passenger” options, sparking online buzz. However, these services swiftly disappeared following enforcement pressure
Public and gig‑worker backlash
- Commuters report congested roads, extended travel times, and higher costs (e.g., ₹55 bike‑taxi rides rising to ₹85 autorickshaw fares)
- Gig workers warned of lost livelihoods—estimates suggest up to 600,000 affected and over 100,000 drivers relying on bike taxis across Karnataka
Calls for regulatory clarity
- Industry bodies like Nasscom and IAMAI urged the government to frame policies rather than impose bans, highlighting lost revenue and service disruption . Analysts emphasise that other states (Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra) already regulate bike taxis via permits and safety norms