Rise of rental e-bikes fuels delivery boom but raises traffic concerns

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bengaluru’s rental electric two-wheeler delivery executive population is substantial and growing rapidly, thanks to the increasing demand for fast, sustainable delivery solutions. Several private companies offer e-bikes designed specifically for delivery purposes, which are available on daily, weekly or monthly rental plans. This flexibility has made electric bikes a popular choice for delivery executives in the city.

The rise in fuel costs and growing environmental concerns have encouraged many delivery executives to switch to electric two-wheelers, contributing to the growing presence of these vehicles on Bengaluru’s roads. With zero emissions and lower operating costs, electric bikes are a practical alternative to fuel-powered motorcycles for delivery riders. To ride a LSEV by a popular private rental two-wheeler EV company, riders must be at least 16 years old. Interestingly, a driver's license is not required as they are classified as Low-Speed Electric Vehicles (LSEVs).

While helmets are not legally mandatory for these vehicles, safety experts highly recommend wearing one to minimise risks. However, despite the advantages, there are concerns about traffic safety and rule adherence. With the increasing number of e-bikes, traffic violations have become a growing issue. Delivery executives often navigate through crowded streets, sometimes even riding on sidewalks to meet tight deadlines. A rider shared their perspective, saying, "What can we do? There's traffic, but we also have incredibly short deadlines to deliver the package. We can deliver something in less than five minutes, and food in under 40 minutes.

Sometimes, we need to bend the rules, or else we face complaints." He also added that they can earn a living by renting a bike and they do not need to own a vehicle, which makes it easier for them. Traffic cops deployed at major junctions in Bengaluru are finding it increasingly difficult to regulate the growing number of rental electric two-wheelers on the road. As the number of delivery executives using these e-bikes continues to rise, so do the challenges faced by law enforcement.

One traffic cop explained the issue, saying, “We try to regulate traffic as much as we can, but Low-Speed Electric Vehicles (LSEVs) don’t come under most of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. This makes it tough to enforce fines or penalties for violations, as these vehicles are not classified in the same way as traditional motorcycles or cars.” A spokesperson from one of the electric vehicle rental companies emphasised that they encourage their riders to follow traffic rules.