Bike taxis back on Bengaluru roads

The Karnataka High Court has allowed bike taxis to operate in the state, overturning the earlier single bench order. Aggregators can now legally seek registration and permits for their vehicles.

A division bench of the Karnataka High Court overruled the single bench’s April 2025 order, clearing the way for bike taxis. This marks a major legal development for urban transport options.

The court directed the state government to consider applications from bike owners for registration as transport vehicles, ensuring motorcycles can legally operate as contract carriages under applicable law.

Authorities are instructed to grant permits for bike taxis, while retaining the right to impose conditions. The decision allows legal operation without denial based solely on vehicle type.

The regional transport authority can attach necessary conditions to permits. Applications for registration and licenses must now be examined fairly, in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act and related regulations.

The court clarified that pending applications from aggregators should be processed promptly, and new applications can also be filed. All must follow legal norms and the observations made by the court.

Companies like Uber, ANI Technologies, and Roppen Transportation had challenged the April 2025 single bench order, which had restricted bike taxi operations pending new guidelines from the state government.

The single bench had relied on a 2019 expert committee report citing traffic and safety concerns. It restricted bike taxi services until formal guidelines were issued by the state.

The state government argued that existing gig worker policies already cover bike taxis, suggesting no separate policy is required. The court considered this while allowing the service to operate.

The court’s order provides clear legal backing for bike taxis, enabling aggregators to expand services. It balances transport flexibility, safety oversight, and regulatory compliance under the Motor Vehicles Act.