Daybreak The Centre cleared the road for bike taxis. Karnataka still won’t hit the gas
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Jul 3, 2025 Bangalore commuters are feeling the pinch from a ban on bike taxis that has caused chaos since mid-June. Gig workers are protesting, seeking regulation instead of outright prohibition, as auto fares skyrocket. The contrasting strictness of Karnataka's policies against those of other states raises eyebrows. New guidelines from the Ministry of Road Transport aim to address cleanliness and safety, yet resistance remains strong. This ongoing debate underscores the urgent need for a balanced transportation solution.
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Karnataka's Motorcycle Regulation Issue
- Karnataka classifies motorcycles as private vehicles, disallowing their commercial use for bike taxis.
- The ban on bike taxis worsened Bangalore's traffic congestion significantly since June 16th, 2023.
Other States Regulate Bike Taxis Successfully
- Several states have legalized and regulated bike taxis with safety protocols, unlike Karnataka.
- Examples include Maharashtra's electric bike taxi fleet with GPS tracking and Delhi's zero-emission electric bike taxi mandate.
Centre Legalizes Bike Taxis but States Decide
- The Centre's Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025 legalize bike taxis and offer regulatory clarity.
- Yet transport remains a state subject, so states like Karnataka must adopt these guidelines to enable bike taxi operations.