Karnataka Bike taxi ban: Riders hold hunger protest, write open letter to CM Siddaramaiah

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Members of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association staged a hunger protest on Sunday across several cities in Karnataka, urging the state government to lift the ban on bike taxis and implement an inclusive policy framework.

The association also submitted an open letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, highlighting the growing desperation among riders left jobless due to the ban.

Protests were organised in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Davangere, and Ramanagara, with wide participation from app-based bike taxi riders.

The agitation follows the June 16 suspension of bike taxi services, after the Karnataka High Court upheld an earlier order barring their operations unless the government notified guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.

A division bench of the High Court had, on June 13, declined to stay a single judge’s April 2 ruling, which had given a six-week deadline for halting services—a deadline later extended to June 15.

In their heartfelt letter to the Chief Minister, the association wrote: "Sir, we, who ride through rain and sun to serve Karnataka, are writing this not out of anger but desperation. For many of us, this work stands between dignity and destitution."

The letter described the severe hardships riders now face, with some reportedly resorting to begging to feed their families. The association warned that if their demands remain unaddressed, members are prepared to launch an indefinite hunger strike.

Highlighting the socio-economic background of its members, the association said nearly 80% are local Kannadigas, including students, single mothers, homemakers, and migrant workers. They argued that bike taxis offer flexible work opportunities, especially in areas with limited employment options.

The letter also criticised the inconsistent policy under which two-wheelers are permitted for parcel delivery but penalised when used for passenger transport—despite both falling under the gig economy and Motor Vehicles Act.

Bike taxis, the association emphasised, have become an essential part of Karnataka’s transport network, especially in cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Belagavi, and Ballari, by providing reliable last-mile connectivity to millions.