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Micro‑Mobility Regulations in India: What You Must Know

Explore micro‑mobility norms in Indian cities—license, subsidies, bike‑taxi rules & safety. Learn how SpotGenie supports compliant commuting.

Pratik Kamble

15 Jul 2025 — 2 min read

Micro‑Mobility Regulations in India

Micro‑Mobility Regulations in India: What You Must Know

SpotGenie Gyaan shares the latest insights on vehicle, traffic & transport topics across Indian cities—educating readers on the ever-changing mobility landscape.

Understanding Micro‑Mobility in India

Micro‑mobility refers to compact, eco‑friendly transport modes like e‑scooters, e‑bikes, and bike‑taxis, typically capped at 25 km/h. These solutions are gaining traction in urban India thanks to pilots in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Pune.

While definitions may vary, regulatory emphasis often falls on L5 vehicles—those needing a driving licence, insurance, and fitness certificate.

Key Regulations & Policies

Licensing & Insurance: E‑scooter and bike‑taxi riders must hold valid driving licences and third‑party insurance as per Motor Vehicles Act amendments.
FAME II Crackdown: Enforcement of subsidy norms under FAME II impacted smaller EV manufacturers across India.
Subsidy & EV Incentives: Delhi offers ₹5k/kWh subsidy (up to ₹30k); Tamil Nadu gives ₹20k to gig‑workers; Maharashtra ₹5k/kWh (max ₹25k).

Regional Spotlight – Maharashtra Bike‑Taxi Rules

On July 4, 2025, Maharashtra officially notified the Bike‑Taxi Rules, 2025:

Only electric bikes allowed; petrol bikes prohibited.
Aggregators need ≥50‑bike fleets registered locally, ₹1 lakh licence fee + ₹5 lakh deposit, valid for 5 years.
Safety measures: reflective yellow paint, sanitized helmets, GPS tracking, panic buttons, GPS-based ride‑hailing only, max 8 working hours, ≤15 km trips.
Driver profile: age 20–50, commercial licence, PSV badge, police clearance & health checks required.

Despite regulation, illegal bike‑taxi operations continue in cities like Pune, raising safety and policy compliance concerns.

Challenges & Considerations

Subsidy Limitations: FAME II subsidy cuts affected EV affordability, especially for low-income gig workers.
Unregistered EV Risks: Low-speed e‑scooters (< 250 W) sold without registration are flooding markets like Chennai, raising fire and insurance issues.
Ride‑Hailing Conflict: Local unions in cities like Nagpur express concerns about bike‑taxis impacting traditional transport operators.

What Riders & Operators Can Do Now

Ensure your licence and third‑party insurance are valid and up to date.
Leverage your state's EV subsidy schemes via verified government portals.
Use GPS tracking and approved ride-hailing platforms for compliance.
Follow safety norms: sanitized helmets, speed limits, and designated parking.

Conclusion

India's micro‑mobility revolution is here, but staying compliant is crucial. With changing rules around licences, insurance, EV subsidies, and safety, it’s vital to stay informed and responsible. Whether you're a rider or operator, SpotGenie is your go-to ally in understanding and adapting to the evolving transport ecosystem.

What’s your experience with e‑bike‑taxis or electric scooters in your city? Share your thoughts, and don’t forget to follow us for tomorrow’s SpotGenie Gyaan!