Bike taxi riders across Karnataka are on an indefinite hunger strike, demanding that the state government lift its ban on bike taxi services. The protest, led by the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, has spread to cities such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Davangere, and Ramanagara since Sunday.
Earlier, in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on 27 June, the association urged the government to establish a clear and inclusive regulatory framework. They said the ban had taken away the primary source of income for thousands of gig workers who depended on bike taxi services for their livelihood.
“We are not asking for favours, just a chance to be heard,” the letter stated, adding that many riders are now unemployed and struggling to meet their basic needs.
Who are the riders?
According to the association, most bike taxi riders come from financially weaker backgrounds. They include students, daily-wage workers who lost other jobs, and women returning to work after the pandemic. Riders say the job’s flexibility and low entry cost made it ideal, especially in areas where other employment is hard to find.
Riders question policy gaps
Protesters are also questioning why the government allows two-wheelers for delivery services but not for carrying passengers. They say both are part of the gig economy and should be treated equally under the Motor Vehicles Act.
“There is no clear reason why we’re treated differently from delivery riders. We’re ready to follow rules, just give us a fair system,” the association wrote.
Since the ban, the Transport Department has taken action by seizing vehicles. Some riders say they have been fined or harassed and that their earlier appeals to the government were ignored.
The association warned that the strike would continue unless the government meets them for a proper discussion. “A good policy must include the voices of those affected on the ground,” the letter said.
Legal challenge highlights monopoly concerns
At the same time, two bike owners have approached the court to challenge the Karnataka High Court’s recent decision banning bike taxis without proper guidelines.
Their lawyer, senior advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, argued that the state is creating a monopoly for existing transport operators by refusing to register two-wheelers for public transport or issue relevant permits. He told the court that such decisions go against the spirit of the Motor Vehicles Act, which encourages open and fair markets.
Aggregators halt operations
In April, the Karnataka High Court said that bike taxis could not operate without formal rules under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act. This decision came into effect on 16 June, forcing major aggregators like Rapido, Uber, and Ola to halt bike taxi services in the state.
Inputs from agencies
Earlier, in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on 27 June, the association urged the government to establish a clear and inclusive regulatory framework. They said the ban had taken away the primary source of income for thousands of gig workers who depended on bike taxi services for their livelihood.
“We are not asking for favours, just a chance to be heard,” the letter stated, adding that many riders are now unemployed and struggling to meet their basic needs.
Who are the riders?
According to the association, most bike taxi riders come from financially weaker backgrounds. They include students, daily-wage workers who lost other jobs, and women returning to work after the pandemic. Riders say the job’s flexibility and low entry cost made it ideal, especially in areas where other employment is hard to find.
Riders question policy gaps
Protesters are also questioning why the government allows two-wheelers for delivery services but not for carrying passengers. They say both are part of the gig economy and should be treated equally under the Motor Vehicles Act.
“There is no clear reason why we’re treated differently from delivery riders. We’re ready to follow rules, just give us a fair system,” the association wrote.
Since the ban, the Transport Department has taken action by seizing vehicles. Some riders say they have been fined or harassed and that their earlier appeals to the government were ignored.
The association warned that the strike would continue unless the government meets them for a proper discussion. “A good policy must include the voices of those affected on the ground,” the letter said.
Legal challenge highlights monopoly concerns
At the same time, two bike owners have approached the court to challenge the Karnataka High Court’s recent decision banning bike taxis without proper guidelines.
Their lawyer, senior advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, argued that the state is creating a monopoly for existing transport operators by refusing to register two-wheelers for public transport or issue relevant permits. He told the court that such decisions go against the spirit of the Motor Vehicles Act, which encourages open and fair markets.
Aggregators halt operations
In April, the Karnataka High Court said that bike taxis could not operate without formal rules under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act. This decision came into effect on 16 June, forcing major aggregators like Rapido, Uber, and Ola to halt bike taxi services in the state.
Inputs from agencies
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