The Karnataka High Court has lifted the ban on bike taxis on Friday. The ruling has cleared the way for these services to resume across the state. The decision comes after a division bench quashed an earlier single-judge order that had prohibited the operation of two-wheeler taxis.
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, while acknowledging the ruling, remained cautious. He told reporters that he is yet to receive the full text of the judgement. "The single-judge bench had prohibited bike taxis, but the division bench has now allowed the writ appeal," Reddy said. "Once I have the copy in hand and have reviewed it, I will be in a better position to discuss the government's next steps."
The move was immediately celebrated by industry leaders. Uber released a statement welcoming the court's recognition of bike taxis as a legal mode of passenger transport, calling it a "vital mobility lifeline" for navigating the state's congested cities. The company emphasised that the ruling is not directly related to convenience— it is a huge relief for the hundreds of thousands of drivers whose livelihoods were left in limbo during the ban.
For years, the status of bike taxis in Karnataka has been a point of heavy contention, often leading to clashes between bike riders and traditional auto-rickshaw unions. With this legal hurdle out of the way, Uber and Rapido are likely to expand operations rapidly. The spotlight is now on how the state transport department will "operationalise" regulation for the sector in a bid to bring safety onto the streets of Bengaluru — and beyond.
Also read: K’taka Guv cuts short address at joint session, skips speech
Follow us
