Uber launches women-only bike rides in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Ride-hailing app Uber on Thursday launched 'Uber Moto Women,' a first-of-its-kind service in Bengaluru offering women-only bike rides, the company said.
In a statement, Uber said that this on-demand two-wheeler service connects female riders with female drivers and is designed to address women’s safety and mobility needs while "empowering female drivers with flexible earning opportunities".
"Developed based on feedback from women riders and drivers, Uber Moto Women offers a safe, affordable, and convenient commute option for women who prefer to ride with female drivers," the company stated.
Abhishek Padhye, Head of Regional Business Operations, Uber India and South Asia, said, "With Uber Moto Women, we're not just offering a safer and more convenient ride option for women, but also empowering female drivers with the opportunity to earn flexibly in one of India's fastest-growing mobility segments. Bengaluru has always been a pioneer in embracing innovation, and we're proud to launch this service here to set a new benchmark for inclusive urban mobility."
According to the company, 'Uber Moto Women' will be available across all major parts of Bengaluru starting today. Riders can share their trip details with up to five trusted contacts for real-time tracking, while phone numbers and drop-off addresses are anonymised to protect user privacy.
Uber's proactive safety feature, RideCheck, monitors irregularities such as long stops, mid-way drops, or route deviations, offering support when needed. Women riders and drivers also have access to Uber’s 24x7 Safety Helpline, which provides priority support for women when required.
The company added that with female participation in the ride-hailing space in India remaining low, 'Uber Moto Women' could encourage more women to drive.
"Flexible working hours, short-distance trips, and easy navigation will make it easier for more women drivers to join the platform. Offering complete flexibility, 'Uber Moto Women' drivers also have the option to turn off the female-only rider setting and accept all rides whenever they choose," the company added.
Namaskara Bengaluru!
— Uber India (@Uber_India) December 12, 2024
Introducing #UberMotoWomen, a first-of-its-kind bike ride service for women that focuses on safety,
empowerment, and convenience.
✔ Safe rides with RideCheck & real-time tracking
✔ Anonymized info to protect rider’s privacy
✔ Flexible earning… pic.twitter.com/FMZcN12Iik
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Is there ban on celebrating Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary, asks Bombay HC
Mumbai, Dec 12: The Bombay High Court on Thursday sought to know if there was a ban on celebrating 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary, and directed the Pune rural police to decide on a plea that sought to hold a rally to commemorate the occasion.
The court said concerns relating to law and order cannot be a ground to deny permission for a rally.
A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and S G Dige was hearing a petition filed by one Faiyaz Shaikh, the Pune unit president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party, seeking a direction to the police to grant permission to hold a rally to commemorate the birth anniversaries of Tipu Sultan, freedom fighter Maulana Azad and also the Constitution Day.
As per the plea, the Pune rural police had refused to grant permission for the rally and asked the petitioner to celebrate the occasions at his private place and not in public place.
The police had claimed that such rallies would cause law and order problems.
The bench then asked if holding a rally for such events was prohibited.
"Is there a ban to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan? We understand if the rally cannot be permitted in a particular area citing law and order. You (police) can always ask them (petitioner) to change the route," the court said.
The HC said the police can decide the route and if there was any use of derogatory language or any law and order problem, then necessary action could be taken as per law.
"There is no reason why they cannot be allowed to take out the rally. Law and order cannot be a ground to deny permission," the bench said.
Additional public prosecutor Kranti Hivrale told the court that there was no ban or prohibition but the concern was law and order situation.
At the court's request, Pune Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh appeared virtually.
The bench directed the petitioner to personally meet Deshmukh and decide on a route and area where the rally could be held and posted the matter for further hearing on December 17.
