The Karnataka High Court has allowed bike taxi services to operate across the state, overturning an earlier ban. Platforms like Rapido, Ola, and Uber can resume services as authorities were directed to register motorcycles as transport vehicles and issue contract carriage permits. The court ruled that motorcycles can be registered as transport vehicles and permitted to operate as contract carriages under the Motor Vehicles Act. They also claimed that Karnataka’s withdrawal of its Electric Bike Taxi Scheme in 2024 was influenced by political and law-and-order considerations rather than objective analysis. Relief for Riders and Urban MobilityEarlier, in August 2025, the court had instructed authorities not to harass bike taxi riders while the appeals were pending.

Source: dna January 23, 2026 08:49 UTC