Bike taxis were seen plying on Bengaluru roads again on Thursday after a two-month hiatus. Ride-hailing aggregators such as Uber, Rapido, and Ola resumed bike taxi services after the Karnataka High Court (HC) questioned the state government on the blanket ban on the trade. Many citizens were seen using the services within hours of the feature being made available on the apps.
On Wednesday, the HC pulled up the government, asking why the trade cannot be regulated instead of being prohibited. The two-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi, asked the state to give it “serious thought” as many lives were at stake, while adjourning the matter to September 22. The division bench was hearing appeals filed by Ola, Uber, and Rapido on August 20 when the remarks were made.
Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters that the HC has given the state a month to decide whether to frame a bike taxi policy but clarified that the court has not formally permitted service providers to resume operations. He added that a decision will be taken after consultations with enforcement agencies.
The court observed that bike taxis are legally permitted in 13 states, calling it a recognised trade protected under Article 19(1)(g). It described the ban as a “de facto prohibition,” stressing that a legitimate trade cannot be banned outright under the Constitution, though the state is free to regulate the sector. The Central Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025 also permit bike taxi operations, subject to state approval.
An advocate familiar with the matter told ET that the court is only suggesting that the government bring a policy. “The state has not completed its arguments. So, in the upcoming hearing on September 22, the court may issue a final order," the person added.
Adi Narayan, president of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, said the HC’s remarks reaffirmed the legality and necessity of bike taxis in modern urban transport. “The court reflected on the critical role bike taxis play in providing affordable, safe, and efficient last-mile connectivity for commuters, emphasising that bike taxis are not a luxury but a necessity. Furthermore, the court underscored the protection of livelihood rights.”
He added that the development calls upon the state government to work towards a robust regulatory framework rather than an outright ban.
Bike taxis were banned in Karnataka on June 16, leaving many office-goers with no choice but to opt for expensive three-wheelers or cabs or rely on public transport. The ban followed an April 2 order by Justice B Shyam Prasad, who directed that services be halted unless the state framed rules and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The Bike Taxi Welfare Association had earlier written to ministers and MPs, warning that over one lakh gig workers in Bengaluru and across Karnataka would lose their livelihood due to a blanket ban.
Also Read: Karnataka's ban on bike taxis: A timeline
On Wednesday, the HC pulled up the government, asking why the trade cannot be regulated instead of being prohibited. The two-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi, asked the state to give it “serious thought” as many lives were at stake, while adjourning the matter to September 22. The division bench was hearing appeals filed by Ola, Uber, and Rapido on August 20 when the remarks were made.
Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters that the HC has given the state a month to decide whether to frame a bike taxi policy but clarified that the court has not formally permitted service providers to resume operations. He added that a decision will be taken after consultations with enforcement agencies.
The court observed that bike taxis are legally permitted in 13 states, calling it a recognised trade protected under Article 19(1)(g). It described the ban as a “de facto prohibition,” stressing that a legitimate trade cannot be banned outright under the Constitution, though the state is free to regulate the sector. The Central Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025 also permit bike taxi operations, subject to state approval.
An advocate familiar with the matter told ET that the court is only suggesting that the government bring a policy. “The state has not completed its arguments. So, in the upcoming hearing on September 22, the court may issue a final order," the person added.
Adi Narayan, president of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, said the HC’s remarks reaffirmed the legality and necessity of bike taxis in modern urban transport. “The court reflected on the critical role bike taxis play in providing affordable, safe, and efficient last-mile connectivity for commuters, emphasising that bike taxis are not a luxury but a necessity. Furthermore, the court underscored the protection of livelihood rights.”
He added that the development calls upon the state government to work towards a robust regulatory framework rather than an outright ban.
Bike taxis were banned in Karnataka on June 16, leaving many office-goers with no choice but to opt for expensive three-wheelers or cabs or rely on public transport. The ban followed an April 2 order by Justice B Shyam Prasad, who directed that services be halted unless the state framed rules and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The Bike Taxi Welfare Association had earlier written to ministers and MPs, warning that over one lakh gig workers in Bengaluru and across Karnataka would lose their livelihood due to a blanket ban.
Also Read: Karnataka's ban on bike taxis: A timeline
