For many Mumbaikars, hopping onto a bike taxi is the quickest way to beat bumper-to-bumper traffic.
With just a few taps on an app, a Rapido or Ola rider can zip you through narrow lanes and drop you at your destination for a fraction of the cost of an auto or cab. However, behind this convenience lies a messy legal battle.
This week, the Maharashtra transport department cracked down on bike taxi operators, collecting fines of Rs 1.5 lakhs from aggregators like Rapido, Ola and Uber for running services without mandatory licences. Officials say the action is part of a wider push to bring order to what they call an “illegal and unsafe” system.
Unlike autorickshaws and kaali-peeli cabs, bike taxis don’t yet have a clear regulatory framework in Maharashtra.
The Motor Vehicles Act mandates that every aggregator seek state approval before operating, but most companies have launched services without waiting for permission. Officials argue this leaves passengers vulnerable in case of accidents and raises insurance and liability concerns.
Special teams of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mumbai launched a joint crackdown through 20 units across Mumbai, Thane, Vasai, Vashi, and Panvel, against unregistered apps and illegal bike taxi operators. During the operation, action was taken against a total of 123… pic.twitter.com/Ux1Ed57Bqs
— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2025
A senior transport official told THE WEEK that enforcement would continue until operators either shut shop or complied with licensing norms.
“The safety of commuters cannot be compromised,” the official said.
Ironically, while fines are being collected, the state itself is still in the process of drafting a dedicated e-bike taxi policy. Once finalised, it will define rules for permits, fare systems and accountability, bringing Maharashtra in line with other states that have already opened the door for bike taxis.
Transport experts say the policy will need to strike a balance: protecting passenger safety while not stifling an affordable service that has become part of Mumbai’s transport mix.
For riders and commuters, the tussle between aggregators and regulators means delays in everyday commuting. College students, office-goers and delivery workers often rely on bike taxis for last-mile connectivity. Thousands of young men earn their livelihood by driving for these apps.
“The government should regulate, not ban,” says a 24-year-old engineering student who uses bike taxis to get to his classes in Bandra. “They’re cheaper than cabs and faster than buses. Without them, commuting will only get harder.”
For now, the government’s message is clear: until the licensing framework is in place, operators will be penalised for every ride they run. But on the ground, the demand for quick, low-cost transport isn’t going away anytime soon.
The coming months will reveal whether Maharashtra can deliver a policy that works for commuters, drivers, and regulators alike—or if bike taxis will remain stuck in a legal grey zone.
