BENGALURU: A group of 110 bike taxi riders from Namma Bike Taxi Association met Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Dasarahalli MLA S Muniraju on Thursday, urging the government to reverse its crackdown on bike taxis.
Representing tens of thousands of bike taxi riders across the state, the delegation submitted a petition demanding legal recognition of bike taxis and a clear policy framework to end ongoing harassment and confusion.
The meeting follows a series of open letters addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi, none of which have received a response. Ironically, the same government passed a Gig Worker Welfare Bill just last month, while simultaneously dismantling a sector that offers flexible income to thousands.
đ¨ BREAKING: 6 lakh+ gig workers in Karnataka are jobless overnight due to the #BikeTaxiBan.
No rules. No hearings. No backup plan.
Just silence from the govt â while the High Court itself blames them for inaction.
This isnât regulation. This is abandonment.#SaveBikeTaxi⌠pic.twitter.com/NnbLqrNMqOâ Namma Bike Taxi Association (@Nammabiketaxi) June 18, 2025
Drivers also raised alarm over growing intimidation by auto unions. One union leader has publicly urged members to prevent bike taxi protests and has even targeted figures like Mohandas Pai for speaking in support. Meanwhile, union president Mohammed Salim was denied permission to protest at Freedom Park, allegedly under pressure from these groups.
Mohammed Salim, president, Namma Bike Taxi Association, said, âMy phone wonât stop ringingâ250 to 300 drivers call me every day, asking for help. And I donât know what to tell them. Should we lose our livelihoods because the government has no policy for bike taxis? We donât want chaos. We need regulation, not a banâ.
There has been a growing desperation among bike taxi riders. A 37-year old rider, said, âIâve borrowed twice already this month. My daughterâs school is asking for fees, and I have nothing leftâ. Another 26-year-old rider, who rides for Ola and Uber, added, âDelivery partners can use the same bike to deliver foodâbut I get fined for giving someone a ride. Whereâs the logic in that?â
Commuters also slammed the governmentâs decision and called for a rethink on the ban. Sneha (19), a college student, said, âAuto fares are through the roof. I used to pay Rs 50 on a bike taxi ride, now autos charge Rs 100 to Rs 150 for the same distanceâ.
Sandeep (27), a tech professional, said, âThereâs no last-mile connectivity to most metro stations. Bike taxis filled that gap. Now Iâm stuck spending twice the time and moneyâ. Bala (31), a daily commuter, said, âWhy ban something without asking citizens first? There should have been a public consultation or pollâ.
Despite Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020 from the Central Government â recognising bike taxis under Section 2(7) â Karnataka has yet to frame corresponding rules. The state had introduced an Electric Bike Taxi Policy in 2021, but quietly withdrew it in 2024 without any justification, leaving drivers unprotected and commuters underserved.
âLast year, Karnataka saw over eight crore bike taxi rides. Weâre not asking for favours â weâre asking for the right to work legally and safelyâ, added Mohammed Salim. (ANI)
