The Maharashtra government has approved a plan to allow bike pooling, a shared mobility concept where two-wheeler owners can offer seats to co-passengers traveling along similar routes. This move is aimed at easing traffic congestion and reducing vehicular pollution in the state. The scheme will allow private two-wheeler owners to monetize their everyday commutes by giving rides to others heading in the same direction, using aggregator apps.
However, the final rules for bike pooling are yet to be framed, and the government has clarified that only electric two-wheelers will be eligible for the scheme. Each private vehicle will be allowed to offer up to four intra-city rides per day and two inter-city rides per week. Mandatory requirements include insurance coverage of at least ₹5 lakh for ride-sharing passengers and police verification of the vehicle owner.
Experts have raised concerns about safety and legal issues related to bike pooling. Former transport officials argue that car pooling should have been prioritized instead, given the scale of urban traffic congestion. Another concern is passenger safety, as two-wheelers account for nearly 70% of total road accidents in the state.
Despite these concerns, the government believes that bike pooling can help counter traffic and pollution trends in the state. The Cabinet’s decision aligns with the Centre’s Aggregator Policies of 2014 and 2020, which encourage car and bike pooling to curb congestion and pollution.
Maharashtra could become the first state in India to formally legalize bike pooling, although bike taxis already operate in states like Goa and Karnataka. The move is seen as a progressive step towards promoting shared rides and reducing the number of private vehicles on the road.