Women Commuters Oppose Bike Taxi Ban Before Karnataka High Court

Opposing the ban on bike taxis in Karnataka, Ladies commuters informed the Excessive Courtroom on Wednesday (July 02) that bike taxis are a secure, handy and inexpensive mode of commuting.

A division bench of Appearing Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice C M Joshi was listening to appeals filed by bike taxi aggregators Ola, Uber and Rapido in opposition to the one choose’s order.

For context, the single judge had in April dominated that “until the State Authorities notifies related Pointers beneath Part 93 of the Motor Autos Act, 1988 and Guidelines thereunder, the petitioners (Ola, Uber, Rapido) can not function as Aggregators providing Bike-Taxi Companies”.

The court docket had additional mentioned that the State’s Transport Division can’t be given instructions to register Bikes as Transport Autos or challenge Contract Carriage Permits. It had additional ordered the State authorities to make sure that all bike taxi operations stop to function in six weeks. This date was prolonged until June 15. Thereby, Bike Taxis had been to stop operations from June 16 within the State.

Showing for a girl commuter, senior advocate Jayna Kothari submitted that although the scheme has been cancelled as a result of it’s allegedly unsafe, nevertheless for her who’s a day by day commuter, bike taxis are “inexpensive, handy but additionally most secure”.

Kothari whereas searching for impleadment mentioned, “We as girls need this scheme…the place girls commuters are heard earlier than this resolution“.

The court docket requested about security precautions in different states with regard to bike taxis, to which Kothari mentioned, “Bikers in different states have a pre-qualification take a look at, background checks are completed. West Bengal has restricted bike taxi plying in evening. In lots of states there was an emphasis that riders of motorbike taxi are girls. All aggregator guidelines and tips present that it makes a lot safer mode of commute“.

Referring to bike taxi coverage in Rajasthan, Kothari mentioned that beneath that coverage the antecedents of drivers is to be checked by supplier and police verification is finished; minors aren’t allowed. She mentioned that fares for bike taxi, although fastened by state, are decrease and is thus “most inexpensive”.

“There are a number of nationwide experiences by unbiased businesses which assessment bike taxis and suggest working bike taxis. It’s safer for ladies and extra inexpensive. There’s a KPMG report which present that bike taxi is most handy mode. Charges should be fastened and when it was plying it was most inexpensive,” she submitted.

On the court docket’s question concerning the idea of report ready by KPMG, Kothari mentioned, “They’ve completed a feasibility examine milord. The report says it (bike taxi) is extra inexpensive, handy and secure. Knowledge exhibits that bike taxi is safer than different modes of transport. Our submission is affordability, comfort and security for ladies makes it choice”.

In the meantime senior advocate Uday Holla showing for Uber submitted that states like Tamil Nadu which had earlier banned bike taxis have now permitted the identical. He mentioned that Kerala has permitted the operation of motorbike taxis as effectively.

On metro traces in Bengaluru Holla mentioned, “Take a look at the metro traces, there are solely two traces, there is no such thing as a final mile connectivity…locations like Japan and many others., have a number of metro traces. Please take a look at the unfold of Bengaluru…even when extra traces are there it will be unable to cater“.

He additional mentioned that in his childhood he may journey from one finish of Bengaluru to a different in 20 minutes. “Now it takes round 3 to 4 hours in peak hours. What is going to occur to a commuter milord if he spends 3 to 4 hours (in site visitors)…he wont be capable of spend time with household,” Holla mentioned.

On the difficulty of girls security–which was thought-about by an professional committee in its 2019 report recommending that Bike-taxis shouldn’t be permitted in Bengaluru and its operation ought to stop, Hola mentioned: “So far as security of girl passenger is anxious, this bogey of girls security is a misnomer and put ahead to make sure that bike taxi is prevented. There’s a sturdy auto union which is coming in the best way“.

He additional mentioned that so far as bike riders are involved, the State can not refuse registration.

“At the moment all people goes to Uber for a taxi. The aggregator will be capable of search a taxi and provides it in a matter of minutes. Particular person drivers can’t be prevented. Aggregators solely help, and State ought to come and alter its stand,” he mentioned.

Whereas concluding his submissions Holla mentioned that after bike taxis had been stopped, there was an “18 p.c hike in site visitors congestion”.

On the court docket’s question Holla mentioned, “As a result of bike taxis aren’t there so folks have to make use of their automobiles…In London you can not have your personal automotive as a result of there is no such thing as a parking obtainable. All people makes use of Uber“.

Case title: Uber India Programs Personal Restricted AND State of Karnataka and batch

Case No: WA 848/2025, WA 863/2025, WA 906/2025, WA 962/2025, WA 948/2025