The streets of Karnataka saw a major shift in daily commutes as the High Court’s latest ruling officially enforced a statewide ban on bike taxi services starting June 16, 2025.
In response, bike taxi operator Rapido announced it would “pause” its services to comply with the court order. Instead, it introduced a new option called ‘Bike Parcel’ to continue limited operations. Ola and Uber continued to show bike taxi options on their apps in Bengaluru as of Monday morning.
Rapido Complies With New Karnataka Law
In an official statement, Rapido explained:
“Starting June 16, 2025, our bike taxi services in Karnataka will be paused in compliance with recent High Court orders. While we deeply believe in the value bike taxis bring to daily commuters, we respect the law and will fully abide by the directive. We remain committed to the communities we serve and are hopeful for a future where convenient, affordable mobility is accessible to all.”
The company added it is in talks with the government to bring bike taxis back legally soon.
Ola and Uber Still Running, Face Legal Threat
Despite the ban, Ola and Uber continued to show bike taxi options on their apps in Bengaluru as of Monday morning. This has drawn sharp criticism from the state’s Transport Department and officials.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy issued a warning to aggregators that fail to comply: “Strict action will be taken against those violating the High Court’s order. No one is above the law.”
Authorities have reiterated that using privately registered two-wheelers for commercial activities violates transport laws. The government may soon tighten enforcement to stop illegal bike taxi operations.
But not everyone agrees with the ban. Many everyday commuters feel frustrated, saying bike taxis are a cheap and quick way to get around. Mobility experts and users alike are urging the state to bring in clear, fair rules instead of blocking a service that so many rely on.