Relief at last for bike taxi riders and drivers in Karnataka. The High Court in Bengaluru delivered a pivotal judgment on Friday, overturning a ban that had sidelined services from major players including ANI Technologies (Ola), Uber, and Rapido. Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi’s bench accepted appeals against an April single-judge decision, clearing the path for operations under strict state oversight.

At the heart of the dispute was whether motorcycles qualify as transport vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The court affirmed they do, rejecting the state’s blanket refusal of permits. “Operators are entitled to apply for contract carriage permits,” the bench ruled, instructing authorities to evaluate applications holistically rather than dismissing them outright.

Key directives include allowing vehicle owners to register bikes as transport vehicles and granting operational permissions accordingly. Regional transport bodies can now enforce tailored conditions—think helmet mandates, GPS tracking, and rider verification—to ensure compliance.

This development reignites hope for Bengaluru’s harried commuters, who have long relied on nimble bike taxis to navigate peak-hour gridlock. Aggregators can now file new bids, with the court mandating fair consideration based on legal merits. Critics worry about road safety, but proponents argue regulation will professionalize the sector.

Looking ahead, the order could reshape India’s shared mobility scene. As Karnataka implements these guidelines, it may inspire nationwide reforms, blending tech-driven solutions with robust governance. For now, the streets of Bengaluru are poised for a two-wheeled comeback.