Rapido to Launch Women-Only 'Pink' Bike Service in Karnataka

Ride-hailing giant Rapido is gearing up to introduce an all-women "Pink" bike service in Karnataka by the end of 2025, aiming to make travel safer and more convenient for women.  

Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Rapido co-founder Pavan Guntupalli announced that the new service will cater exclusively to women, with all bikes driven by female riders. The company also has ambitious plans to create 25,000 job opportunities for women in the city through this initiative.  

“Our goal is to empower women by providing them with 25,000 job opportunities as Rapido captains. If a woman can travel safely with a female rider and reach her destination comfortably, we consider that a success,” Guntupalli said.  

He also highlighted that 35% of Rapido’s workforce comes from smaller cities and towns, underscoring the company’s efforts to create employment opportunities beyond metro hubs.  

If Rapido's plan takes off, it will be the second major ride-hailing platform in India to launch a women-only service. In December 2024, Uber introduced a similar initiative in Bengaluru, with plans to expand to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad.  

Beyond Uber and Rapido, other players like Sakha Cabs, TaxShe and bike taxi operator Dovely are already operating in the women-focused ride-hailing space. As demand for safer and more reliable transport options grows, companies are racing to establish themselves as the go-to platform for women-friendly two-wheeler rides.