New Delhi | July 14, 2026
“As India strengthens its ease of living agenda, an integrated mobility ecosystem can become a vital driver of connectivity, employment, productivity, and sustainable growth.” noted Gopal Krishna Agarwal, National Spokesperson (Economic Affairs), Bharatiya Janata Party.
He was launching the CUTS International report Harmonising Bike Taxi Regulations in India: An Evidence-Based Assessment and Suggested Pathways for Reform. The Report is available at https://cuts-ccier.org/pdf/research-report-harmonising-bike-taxi-regulations-in-india-an-evidence-based-assessment-and-suggested-pathways-for-reform.pdf
Agarwal noted that building a narrative for harmonious regulation will be key for a future ready mobility framework. This would require identifying the right problem, designing technology-driven solutions, engaging stakeholders through meaningful consultation, applying rigorous cost-benefit analysis, and ensuring measurable, implementable outcomes which creates an environment for ease of doing business.
Delivering the special address, Nitin R Gokarn, Chairman, National Road Safety Board, observed: “ “Technology almost always advances faster than regulation. Innovation leads, while regulation follows. The objective should not be to restrain innovation but to ensure that regulatory frameworks evolve in a timely manner. A prolonged gap between technological progress and regulation can significantly hinder the growth of a sector.” “
Gokarn noted that while technology can transform mobility, only governance can sustain it. Safety, accountable platforms, AI-driven digital governance, real-time monitoring, and adaptive, evidence-based regulation-anchored in cooperative federalism – are the pillars of a trusted, resilient, and future-ready mobility ecosystem.
The report from CUTS comes at a time when bike taxi regulation in India is undergoing rapid change, with states adopting divergent approaches ranging from enabling frameworks to restrictions and legal uncertainty. This fragmented regulatory landscape has created uncertainty for commuters, gig workers, platform aggregators and regulators, highlighting the need for a harmonised and predictable policy framework. The key findings and recommendations of the report were presented by Tasmita Sengupta, Senior Research Associate at CUTS.
The first panel discussion, “Harmonising Regulation Across States: Bridging Policy Gaps and Legal Ambiguities,” moderated by Amol Kulkarni, Director (Research), CUTS International, brought together Chhavi Banswal, Founder and Principal Consultant, Chiral Consulting; Paroma Bhat, Head of Public Policy and Government Relations, Uber, India and South Asia; Pravesh Biyani, Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Mobility, IIIT Delhi; Shantanu Sharma, Senior Manager (Law, Policy and Regulations), Rapido; and Nikhil Rathi, Senior Account Director of Public Policy, Chase Advisors.
The panellists deliberated inconsistencies in regulatory approaches towards bike taxis in states, complementarity between bike taxis and public transport, need for and cost of conversion of motorcycles from non-transport to transport vehicles, among other issues.
Paroma Bhat pointed out: “Most gig workers do not enter the platform economy with the intention of spending their entire careers as gig workers. For many, gig work is a means to earn a livelihood or bridge employment gaps, rather than a long-term career choice.” Thus, she highlighted that it would be unfair to expect motorcycle owners to convert their vehicles to transport vehicles. “
It was also observed by Chhavi Banswal that “A future-ready framework should promote a phased EV transition while preserving affordable access to livelihoods, ensuring that sustainability and employment advance together”
Shantanu Sharma noted “every safety intervention is an investment, not a cost. Helmets, rider training, responsible road behaviour, and technology-enabled golden-hour response can save lives of both drivers and riders.” Thus, by embedding these measures into operation, platforms can help build a mobility ecosystem that is safer, more accountable, and worthy of public trust.”
The panelists also pointed out that the rise of bike taxis reflects unmet demand, not a replacement for public transport. As long as first- and last-mile gaps persist, consumers should be able to choose efficient mobility options. It was pointed out that the number of both bike taxis and auto-rickshaws has grown consistently over time, indicating that the expansion of the mobility ecosystem has benefited.
Moderated by Anil Sasi, National Business Editor, The Indian Express, the second panel titled Bike Taxis in India’s Mobility Ecosystem: Innovation, Livelihoods and Consumer Welfare, featured Virendra S Rathore, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Transport, Government of Rajasthan, Shiksha Srivastava, Associate, PLR Chamber; Shreya Yadav, Associate Manager, Legal Public Policy and Corporate Affairs, Rapido; and Sourav Dhar, Programme Lead, Mobility, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
Speaking at the panel, Virendra S Rathore pointed out “the future of bike taxis lies in balancing innovation with safety. Harmonised regulations, developed through inter-state consultation, can strengthen first- and last-mile connectivity while creating a safe, predictable, and inclusive mobility ecosystem.”
Sourav Dhar noted, “EV adoption will accelerate when supported by adequate charging infrastructure, battery-swapping networks, and clear financial incentives, ensuring a practical, inclusive, and sustainable transition to clean mobility.” Thus, electrification succeeds when sustainability aligns with economic viability. “
Adding to the discussion, Shreya Yadav highlighted “the bike taxi debate is more than just regulation, it is about people. By expanding livelihoods, enhancing financial independence, and creating flexible work opportunities, particularly for women and other underrepresented groups”, “thus, bike taxis can make mobility more inclusive while fostering economic empowerment.
Shiksha Shrivastava highlighted the “Bike taxis are not the problem; they are an existing mobility solution that deserves smart regulation. Through stakeholder consultation and harmonised rules, India can build a safer, women-centric mobility ecosystem that expands livelihoods, and enables women-led transport with greater safety and confidence.”
The panel discussed that bike taxis are more than a regulatory issue – they are a mobility and livelihood solution. Panellists emphasised harmonised, stakeholder- driven regulation that balances innovation with safety, supports phased electrification, expands opportunities for women, preserves consumer choice, and integrates bike taxis into a broader, inclusive, and sustainable urban mobility ecosystem.
The discussions reinforced the growing consensus on the need for a harmonised, evidence-based regulatory framework that balances commuter safety, worker welfare, innovation and regulatory certainty.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the event fostered constructive dialogue on addressing existing policy gaps and charting a balanced pathway for the future of bike taxi regulation in India.
CUTS International reaffirmed its commitment to supporting evidence-based policymaking and facilitating continued engagement among governments, industry, academia and civil society to advance transparent, predictable and inclusive regulation.
A lively question and answer discussion followed both the sessions. More than 50 stakeholders participated in the event, which was also broadcasted on Youtube.
For further details, contact to:
Madhvendra Singh, at mdp@cuts.org +91 7426953199
Vijay Singh, at vs1@cuts.org +918076619084