Ola introduces electric bike taxi services in Bengaluru

The rides cost ₹25 for a 5km and ₹50 for a 10km

Decision to ban bike taxis will involve a legal process

Ola has made a significant move towards sustainability by introducing electric bike taxi services in Bengaluru.

This marks a departure from their previous bike taxi operations in the city, as it’s the first time they are utilizing electric vehicles for this service. Ola’s S1 electric scooters will now serve as bike taxis on Bengaluru’s streets.

Bhavish Aggarwal, the co-founder and CEO of Ola, shared the exciting news on a social media platform, stating, “We are relaunching Ola Bike in Bengaluru today. This time, we are going all-electric with our own S1 scooters. Our pricing is incredibly competitive, at ₹25 for a 5km ride and ₹50 for a 10km ride. This not only offers affordability but also ensures a comfortable and eco-friendly mode of transportation. We plan to expand this service across India in the coming months.”

It’s worth noting that in recent days, local cab and auto associations in Bengaluru have been calling for a ban on bike taxis, citing concerns about safety, especially for women, and the legality of these vehicles using white board registration plates on the roads.

However, the government has emphasized that any decision to ban bike taxis will involve a legal process.

Notably, Karnataka had already introduced an electric bike taxi policy in July 2021, with the primary objective of improving last-mile connectivity for Bengaluru’s residents. This move by Ola aligns with the state’s electric mobility goals and contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation ecosystem.