Bike taxi ban sparks protests across Karnataka, riders write to CM
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Bengaluru: Members of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association held a hunger protest on Sunday across several cities in Karnataka, demanding the state government lift the ongoing ban on bike taxi services and introduce an inclusive policy framework. The association also submitted an open letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging immediate intervention.
Protests were organised in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Davangere, and Ramanagara, drawing participation from numerous app-based bike taxi riders who said the ban has left them jobless and struggling for survival.
Bike taxi services in Karnataka were suspended on June 16 after the High Court declined to stay an earlier directive that halted such operations unless the government framed guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act. A division bench on June 13 upheld a single judge’s April 2 order giving operators six weeks to cease operations. The deadline was later extended to June 15.
In the open letter, the association wrote: “Sir, we, who ride through rain and sun to serve Karnataka, are writing this letter not out of anger but out of desperation. For many of us, this work is the only thing standing between dignity and destitution.”
The association highlighted the growing crisis among riders, claiming that many have been left without any income or viable alternatives. “Some of our members have even resorted to begging on the streets to feed their families,” the letter noted. It added that if the government continues to ignore their plea, they are prepared to launch an indefinite hunger strike.
Nearly 80 percent of the riders are local Kannadigas from modest backgrounds, the group stated. “We are students, single mothers, homemakers, and former migrant workers who returned to our home state to earn a livelihood. The flexibility this work offers has empowered lakhs, especially in regions with limited employment options.”
The association also decried what they called discriminatory treatment of their profession. While two-wheelers with white number plates are permitted for delivery services, those providing passenger rides on similar vehicles are penalised. “Both jobs fall under the gig economy and are governed by the same Motor Vehicles Act. This inconsistency feels unjust,” they said.
They appealed for a clear and inclusive policy that ensures equal treatment. “We are not seeking favours. We are asking to be heard. A policy shaped with our voices will be grounded in reality, sustainable in implementation, and fair to all stakeholders—the government, platforms, riders, and the people of Karnataka.”
The association emphasised that bike taxis have become an essential part of daily transport for thousands of commuters, especially in densely populated cities like Bengaluru and in Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns such as Mysuru, Hubballi, Belagavi, and Ballari. Over the past 7–8 years, they said, bike taxis have emerged as a vital last-mile mobility option.
With PTI inputs
