Back on the road: Karnataka HC lifts bike taxi ban

The Karnataka High Court on Friday lifted the ban on bike taxis, clearing the way for services to resume across the state and bringing relief to thousands of riders and drivers who rely on the platform for daily commuting and livelihoods.

While Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said he was yet to receive a copy of the judgment, he confirmed that a division bench of the High Court had set aside an earlier single-judge order that had barred bike taxi operations.

"The single-judge bench of the High Court had prohibited bike taxis. The division bench has quashed the single judge bench order and allowed the writ appeal. Let the judgment copy come. I will read it and then discuss it with you all," the minister told reporters.


Ride-hailing major Uber welcomed the ruling, calling it a recognition of bike taxis as a legitimate and practical mode of passenger transport in Karnataka.

"We welcome the Hon'ble High Court's decision to recognise bike taxis as a legal mode of passenger transport in Karnataka," Uber said in a statement.

We look forward to engaging with the state government on operationalising this mobility ecosystem and serving the mobility needs of cities across the spectrum," the statement said.

The ruling is expected to ease last-mile connectivity challenges in Karnataka’s cities, particularly Bengaluru, where traffic congestion remains a persistent concern.