Policy · Mobility & Logistics

Karnataka High Court lifts bike taxi ban

By Startup Enthusiast · 23 January 2026

What they do

Ola, Uber and Rapido operate bike taxi services in Karnataka

The court allowed their appeals and set aside a single-judge order that had banned bike taxis

Bike taxis can now operate with proper licences, ending a suspension that affected over 1,00,000 gig workers

The Karnataka High Court lifted the ban on bike taxi services in the state.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi allowed appeals by Ola, Uber and Rapido.
The court set aside a single-judge order from April 2025 that had halted bike taxi services until the state framed rules.
The court held that motorcycles can be used as transport vehicles if registered and operated lawfully.
Bike taxi operators are now free to apply for registration of two-wheelers as transport vehicles or taxis.
Registration cannot be refused solely because the vehicle is a motorcycle.
Transport authorities may impose conditions under Section 74(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Aggregators have been granted liberty to file fresh applications.

The ban originated from an April 2, 2025 order by single-judge Justice B Shyam Prasad.
The ban directed all bike taxi services in Karnataka to stop within six weeks unless the state framed rules.
Services were suspended in June 2025 after the High Court declined to stay enforcement of the ban.
The suspension triggered protests by gig workers across Karnataka.
Over 1,00,000 gig workers in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka were affected by the blanket ban.

Ola is a ride-hailing platform that offers cab, auto and bike taxi services.
Uber is a global ride-hailing company that operates cab and bike taxi services in India.
Rapido is a bike taxi aggregator that connects riders with motorcycle drivers.
These companies earn revenue through commissions on each ride booked via their apps.
They operate in multiple cities across India, including Bengaluru.

Bike taxi services can legally operate again in Karnataka with necessary licences and compliance.
Individual bike taxi drivers and the Bike Taxi Welfare Association joined the appeals.
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy stated aggregators must comply with court directions.