Bike-Taxis, are a popular mode of transportation in some countries like Brazil, China, Cambodia and Mexico. They are popular here too. However, in a recent order, the Supreme Court stayed, the Delhi High Court’s order that allowed bike taxi aggregators such as Rapido, Ola and Uber to operate without aggregator licences in the capital city. Earlier even the Governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka banned operation of bike-taxis. Be that as it may, in Chennai, women commuters are allowed to book bike-taxis driven by women riders, as Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and Rapido launched women bike-taxi service for last mile connectivity.
Doesn’t the uncertainty around bike-taxis, deserve a study? Technically, bikes are non-transport vehicles, with no regulatory framework supporting their commercial exploitation. Currently, their operation is simply illegal.
Two wheelers must be stable in motion when inherently they are not. Their stability and balance in motion, is largely due to the skills of the rider. That the rotating wheels of a two-wheeler generate gyroscopic forces that contribute to stability during forward motion, means that the bikes must be in good condition. The interaction between the tires and the road surface, size, shape, condition of tires, weight distribution, all affect stability and handling characteristics. What are the lessons here? That the bike must be well maintained, when on road. Next, the rider’s actions and inputs, must be impeccable. Then the roads must be in best of condition. Can we assure all of this before bikes are used to transport passengers?
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for the year 2019, before the pandemic, there were a total of 4,37,396 road accidents in India. Among these, the number of two-wheeler accidents was reported to be approximately 1,52,780. In case of accidents, who should be held responsible? The rider, the bike-taxi service owner, the passenger, the vehicle, other vehicles on the road, or the roads themselves? What compensation can be paid that will return the smile to the affected families?
Since two-wheeler riders are most vulnerable to the actions of other drivers, they must be cautious of cars, trucks, and other vehicles, anticipate their movements, and be prepared to react defensively. Add to it, our roads are uneven with potholes and gravel most of the times and wet in monsoon. Haven’t we seen, in every monsoon and in other seasons too, scores of people dying for these very reasons? Should the bike-taxis then be banned?
Critics of bans say, they provide mobility and accessibility, particularly in densely populated areas with limited public transportation options and that they create employment opportunities for riders and support the local economy. Being smaller and more manoeuvrable than cars, they help alleviate traffic congestion in crowded urban areas. Does the research support such claims? Of course, there are risks associated with any mode of transportation, including bike-taxis. However, it is important to understand that the risk of bike-taxis is the maximum from amongst others on roads.
There are also concerns about safety, particularly in relation to crimes against women. How will this be addressed? Besides proper training and experience of operating bikes, wearing appropriate safety gear, such as helmet, gloves, sturdy footwear, and protective clothing are necessary. It’s important for the riders to be highly attentive to the surrounding traffic, anticipate potential hazards, and maintain situational awareness at all times. Being mindful of blind spots, following traffic rules, and avoiding distractions are vital for safe riding. How will the transport department ensure all of this, without appropriate legislations in place?
Rather than banning bike-taxis outright, is implementing appropriate regulations and safety measures that mitigate the risks associated with them a better option? This must include licensing requirements for riders, mandatory safety gear usage, adhering to vehicle maintenance standards, traffic rules and auditable regular maintenance.
It’s important to ensure that the bike, its riders and passengers have comprehensive insurance coverage. Technology can significantly enhance women’s safety with safety-focused mobile applications, emergency contact alerts, location tracking, SOS buttons and safety wearables. Ride-hailing platforms too must implement safety features like driver identification, ride tracking, and emergency assistance buttons.
Bike-taxis staying banned must be the preferred option, if any of the above is not mandated by legislation and then rigorously implemented. Our life is like a taxi. The meter keeps ticking whether we are going anywhere or not. We do not want a bike-taxi to make it tick faster.