Karnataka bike taxi riders left in limbo, call for regulation over blanket ban
'My phone won't stop ringing, 250 to 300 drivers call me every day, asking what they should do,' said Mohammed Salim, president of the Namma Bike Taxi Association. 'I don't know what to tell them. Should we lose our livelihood because the government has no policy for bike taxis? We don't want chaos. We need regulation, not a ban,' he added.
Last year alone, Karnataka saw over 8 crore bike taxi rides, Mr. Salim pointed out. 'We're not asking for favours, we're asking for the right to work legally and safely.'
Ban pushes families into financial distress
For many, the impact of the ban has been deeply personal. Imran M., 37, a father of two, said he has had to borrow money twice this month just to get by. 'My daughter's school is asking for fees, and I have nothing left. I used to earn enough to support my family. Now, we're surviving on borrowed time.'
Another rider, Sathish, 26, questioned the State government's double standards. 'Delivery partners can use the same bike to deliver food, but I get fined for giving someone a ride. Where's the logic in that? All I want is to earn an honest living.'
Meanwhile, several bike taxi riders have begun shifting to food and quick commerce delivery platforms in an effort to sustain themselves. 'I started delivering food and quick commerce apps just two days ago. I have been working as a bike taxi rider for over two years, and adjusting to this new kind of work hasn't been easy. It's physically demanding and the pay is unpredictable.'
Open letters
The Namma Bike Taxi Association has written a series of open letters to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, but riders say they are yet to receive a response.
'What's ironic is that the same government passed a Gig Worker Welfare Bill just last month. And yet, they are dismantling a sector that provides flexible income to thousands of gig workers across the state,' said Mr. Salim.
As desperation grows among riders, many fear that the longer the delay in regulation, the worse their situation will become. The association members are now calling for an immediate dialogue with the government to frame a legal structure that protects both riders and passengers.
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