Relief For Commuters In Bengaluru As Karnataka High Court Lifts Ban On Bike Taxis

The Karnataka High Court on Friday permitted the operation of bike taxis across the state, delivering a significant relief to ride-hailing aggregators and vehicle owners. A division bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi set aside an April 2025 order of a single bench that had effectively stalled such services.

Allowing appeals filed by aggregators and vehicle owners, the bench directed the state government to consider applications seeking registration of motorcycles as transport vehicles and to grant permits for their operation as contract carriages, in accordance with law.

In its order, the court made it clear that authorities cannot reject applications solely on the ground that motorcycles are not permitted to operate as transport vehicles or contract carriages. While transport authorities are free to examine all relevant aspects of vehicle registration and permit issuance, such scrutiny must be carried out within the framework of existing law.