In a significant move to enhance women’s safety and mobility, Uber, the American ride-hailing giant, has launched its women-only bike taxi service, ‘Uber Moto Women,’ in Bengaluru. This initiative aims to address safety concerns while offering flexible earning opportunities for women drivers in the city.
Designed exclusively for female riders, the new service connects women passengers with women drivers for on-demand two-wheeler rides. With Bengaluru being one of the country’s largest bike taxi markets, Uber’s initiative is expected to resonate strongly with commuters who rely on bike taxis for first- and last-mile connectivity.
Tech-Driven Safety Features
Uber Moto Women integrates advanced safety features to ensure secure and reliable rides. Riders can share trip details in real-time with up to five trusted contacts, enabling live tracking of their journey. Privacy is further safeguarded through phone number anonymization and hidden drop-off addresses, ensuring sensitive information remains protected.
The service also includes “RideCheck,” a proactive safety system that identifies irregular trip activities, such as long stops, route deviations, or mid-way drop-offs, and provides immediate support when needed. In addition, both riders and drivers have access to Uber’s 24×7 Safety Helpline, which prioritizes women’s safety concerns.
A Booming Bike Taxi Market
According to a KPMG report titled “Unlocking the Potential of Bike Taxis in India,” over 280 million bike taxi rides were completed across platforms in 2022. Bengaluru alone recorded over 1 million bike taxi rides monthly, underscoring its significance as a key market for two-wheeler transportation services.
The report also highlighted that 65-70% of bike taxi trips cater to first- and last-mile connectivity, playing a crucial role in complementing public transport systems. With a focus on women commuters, Uber Moto Women is poised to contribute to this growing segment while fostering inclusivity in mobility services.
Empowering Women Drivers
The Uber Moto Women initiative not only prioritizes rider safety but also provides female drivers with an opportunity to earn flexible incomes. By creating a supportive ecosystem, Uber aims to encourage more women to join the platform as drivers, further enhancing employment opportunities in the gig economy.
This move comes as part of Uber’s broader commitment to building safer, more accessible transportation solutions. By leveraging technology and focusing on women-centric services, Uber Moto Women stands as a significant step toward empowering women in urban mobility.
As Bengaluru’s bike taxi market continues to expand, Uber’s women-only service is expected to gain traction among female commuters seeking secure and convenient travel options.
