Illegal bike taxis in Kochi pose risk to passengers
Authorities in Kochi are cracking down on illegal bike taxi operations following safety concerns and legal disputes regarding accident compensation. Officials warn that using private vehicles for commercial transport violates insurance policies and leaves passengers vulnerable in the event of an accident.
Why it matters
Highlights the regulatory challenges and personal risks associated with the gig economy and unregulated transport services.
Bike taxis are running the risk of illegal operations, besides exposing their riders to legal and safety perils. The legal and safety hazards involved in bike taxi operations came into focus after a woman from Kozhikode was reportedly denied compensation claims following a road accident.
Sani Krishna, who booked a bike taxi from CV Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, on June 17, met with an accident, allegedly caused by negligent and rash driving by the bike rider. The bike went into a skid, and she was run over by a tractor. Ms. Krishna had to be hospitalised for weeks.
Ride-hailing service platforms such as Uber and Rapido had launched bike taxi service a few months ago in Kochi, following, which several bikes have started offering the service. Using private vehicles for commercial operation exposes bike riders as well as vehicles to several legal risks, particularly lack of insurance coverage, according to officials.
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