Uber launches women-only bike taxi service in Bengaluru

Uber, a leading mobility platform in India, has launched Uber Moto Women, a dedicated bike taxi service catering exclusively to women in Bengaluru. The service connects female riders with female drivers, offering a transportation option designed to address women's safety and mobility concerns while also creating flexible earning opportunities for female drivers. Developed based on insights from women users, the service aims to provide a safe, affordable, and convenient mode of transportation for women who prefer female drivers.  

The popularity of bike taxis has been steadily increasing in urban India, with over 280 million rides recorded in 2022 across various platforms, according to a KPMG report titled “Unlocking the Potential of Bike Taxis in India.” Bengaluru alone accounts for over one million bike taxi rides each month, making it one of the largest markets for this transportation mode in the country. A significant portion of these trips, approximately 65-70%, serves first- and last-mile connectivity, emphasizing their role as a complement to public transportation.  

Abhishek Padhye, Head of Regional Business Operations at Uber India and South Asia, described the launch as a step toward addressing the diverse mobility needs of the community. He noted that Uber Moto Women is designed to provide women with a safer and more convenient commuting option while creating flexible earning opportunities for female drivers in a growing segment of urban mobility. He also highlighted Bengaluru’s reputation as a hub for innovation, making it a fitting city to introduce this service.  

The Uber Moto Women service incorporates technology-driven safety features to enhance the riding experience. Riders can share their trip details with up to five trusted contacts, enabling real-time tracking. Features like anonymizing phone numbers and drop-off addresses aim to protect user privacy, while the RideCheck feature monitors irregularities such as long stops, mid-way drops, or route deviations, providing support when necessary. A 24/7 Safety Helpline is also available to assist women riders and drivers with priority support when needed.  

In addition to addressing safety, the initiative seeks to generate livelihood opportunities for women. According to the KPMG report, bike taxis could create up to 5.4 million livelihood opportunities in India. With female participation in the ride-hailing sector remaining low, this service is expected to encourage more women to join the platform as drivers. Flexible working hours, shorter distance trips, and easier navigation are among the factors that may make it more accessible for women drivers. The platform allows drivers the flexibility to accept only female riders or switch to accepting all rides based on their preferences.  

Ride-hailing services like Uber Moto Women could also have a positive impact on women’s workforce participation. A study by Oxford Economics, titled “Ride Hailing: A Platform for Women’s Economic Participation in India,” suggests that women’s workforce participation could increase by over 6% by 2028 with improved access to such services. The study also found that 75% of women in India consider ride-hailing services a safer commuting option compared to alternatives, with nearly one-third of women using bike taxis at least once a month.  

The Uber Moto Women service is now available across key areas of Bengaluru, marking another step in Uber’s efforts to develop solutions that address urban mobility challenges while contributing to economic empowerment for women.