By all appearances, it was just another weekday at Mantralaya, Mumbai but then, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik decided to fact-check his own department. A senior official had claimed that illegal bike taxi services were not operating in the city. To verify, Sarnaik opened the Rapido app, booked a ride to Dadar under an alias, and waited. Within minutes, a bike arrived.

When the rider arrived, Sarnaik disclosed his identity and informed him that the "rules are for your benefit". As a gesture, he offered the rider ₹500 for showing up, but the offer was politely declined. No punitive action was taken against the rider.

However, this booking confirmed what daily commuters have long known: Mumbai's bike taxis have been very much active, offering fast, affordable transport, despite being officially unapproved and technically illegal.

While the Maharashtra Government had cleared a proposal in April to legalise e-bike taxis in areas with populations over one lakh, the rollout, initially expected by the end of May, has hit a roadblock. Hence, at present, the Maharashtra Government has not granted approval to any app-based bike aggregator in the state.

Under the newly introduced electric vehicle (EV) policy, only aggregators following prescribed regulations will be allowed to operate in cities with populations over one lakh. However, since the rules are still pending formal notification, Rapido's bike taxi operations remain illegal under existing transport laws.

Last month, the Transport Commissioner’s office filed FIRs against Rapido and Uber at the Azad Maidan Police Station for allegedly operating bike taxi services without legal sanction. But this hasn’t deterred riders or users.

For many office-goers and students, bike taxis have emerged as saviours in a city choked by traffic and short on time! "During peak hours, getting an auto or cab is a nightmare. Rapido bikes are quicker, cheaper, and convenient”, said Abhishek Srivastava, who commutes daily from Andheri East to Bandra.

Others cite affordability and last-mile connectivity as major advantages. “I can’t always afford a cab, and trains are too crowded. A ₹60 bike ride saves me time and keeps me sane”, stated Moxesh Mehta, a student at a Dadar college.

For many women commuters, the service offers not just convenience, but a surprising sense of safety! “I actually feel safer on a bike than in an auto”, says 26-year-old Srishti Pansari, a media professional who rides almost daily. “On a bike, I’m visible in public. If something goes wrong, I can raise my voice and people will notice."

But not everyone is on board. Concerns over safety, lack of insurance coverage, and unregulated practices have fuelled calls for a crackdown! “There’s no accountability if there’s an accident. Most of these riders don’t even wear helmets, let alone carry a spare for passengers”, argued Sunita Deshmukh, a Colaba resident and vocal critic of bike taxis.

Auto and taxi unions have also voiced strong opposition to bike taxis in Mumbai. The groups claim that the rise of unlicensed two-wheeler services is eating into their income and skirting transport laws. The state's Transport Department has received over 75 suggestions and objections, largely from rickshaw unions and citizen activists, raising concerns over traffic congestion, safety, and pollution.

The Transport Department has submitted its report and recommendations to the State Government, which must now take a final call on whether to amend the draft policy or notify it as is. But until that happens, bike taxis remain in legal limbo; technically unauthorised but actively operating across a select few areas in Mumbai.

With commuter demand growing and enforcement still inconsistent, the onus is now on the state government to act swiftly. If the policy is notified in the coming weeks, regulated bike taxi operations could become legal by August. Until then, Mumbai continues to navigate a complex crossroads between convenience and compliance, demand and due process.