Mumbai's Bike-Taxi Boom Clashes with Road Safety Regulations
The rapid expansion of app-based bike-taxi services in Mumbai is running headlong into a critical road-safety issue. Numerous pillion passengers have reported that they are not being provided with helmets, directly contravening Maharashtra's traffic rules which mandate that both the rider and the pillion must wear protective headgear.
Commuters Voice Safety Concerns Over Missing Helmets
Regular users of bike-taxi platforms have alleged that trips often commence without any helmet being offered to the passenger, and that drivers, referred to as captains, rarely insist on compliance with the safety regulation. One shocked passenger remarked, "Quite shocked to see that Rapido bikes in Mumbai neither provide helmets to riders, nor insist that they should wear one. This is insane. Any accident can be fatal—app-based bikes must follow this strictly."
Yashraj Singh, an employee working in Fort, shared his experience with TOI, stating he has never received a helmet during his 7-8 bike-taxi journeys. "The safety gear should be given as roads are in a bad condition, and what if there's a crash," he said, highlighting the prevalent issues of potholes and unpredictable traffic in the city.
Wider Culture of Lax Enforcement Highlighted
Akshita Bhat, a frequent bike-taxi user, pointed out that the problem reflects a broader culture of lax enforcement on Mumbai's roads. "In fact, on normal bikes too we don't see pillion riders wearing a helmet," she noted, suggesting that the issue extends beyond just app-based services.
Under Mumbai's stringent double-helmet rule, both the rider and pillion are required to wear helmets, with violations attracting a fine of Rs 1,000. Bharat Kalaskar, additional transport commissioner, emphasized that the state's new bike taxi policy explicitly makes helmet use mandatory for both parties. "If there is a complaint of non-compliance by the captain, we will take stringent action. In recent past, we caught bike operators flouting helmet and other traffic rules and penalised them," he assured.
Aggregator Companies Defend Safety Measures
Despite the allegations, aggregator companies maintain that they have robust safety measures in place. Uber sources confirmed, "Yes, we provide helmets to pillion riders. It is mandatory as per the latest rules in Maharashtra." Company officials also cited KYC checks for captains and SOS features as integral components of their safety protocols.
A source from Rapido responded by stating that if a captain fails to provide a helmet to the rider, the passenger should register a complaint through the Rapido app, and prompt action will be taken to address the issue.
Government Steps Up Enforcement Efforts
In a significant move, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik recently directed the transport department to file cases against app companies if lives are put at risk due to "illegal operations in violation of government regulation." This directive specifically cited missing number plates and the flouting of helmet rules as key concerns that need immediate attention.
The ongoing situation underscores a critical gap between the rapid growth of bike-taxi services in Mumbai and the enforcement of essential safety regulations, posing serious risks to commuters in one of India's busiest metropolitan areas.
