How to develop bike-taxis (beyond issuing clarifications)

livemint.com:

Mint explains: Bike-taxis offer a cost-effective mode of transportation, particularly for lower and middle-income groups. With fares of ₹8-10 per km, they compete well with traditional auto-rickshaws, catering to first- and last-mile connectivity needs. Their affordability and accessibility make them useful for urban mobility, especially in congested areas where other modes of transport may be scarce.

They’ve so far found most popularity in Tier II and III towns and cities. But a Localcircles survey said 44% of Delhi residents and/or their family or staff had used a bike taxi at least once in 2022-23. Despite increasing demand, bike- taxis have encountered resistance from some state governments and transport unions.

Bans in Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala and Tamil Nadu (some now resolved by way of new motor vehicle aggregator policies, like in Delhi), highlight regulatory inconsistencies based on states’ differing interpretations of the Central Motor Vehicle Act (CMVR) with respect to the legality of bike-taxis, as well as concerns regarding improper licensing. These challenges hinder their widespread adoption, creating uncertainty for operators, riders and users. Goa, Haryana, Gujarat and West Bengal have formulated aggregator policies for bike-taxis.

Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka had banned them. In Delhi and Karnataka, aggregator policies now mandate a switch to electric bike-taxis. State-level policies are essential to address regulatory gaps in the bike-taxi ecosystem.