Bengaluru, India — A distressing incident has surfaced in Bengaluru, Karnataka, concerning the safety of women using online bike ride services, where a woman was allegedly subjected to inappropriate touching and harassment by a bike rider during her journey.
Following the traumatic experience, the woman shared her story and video on social media, igniting a critical conversation about misconduct against women in public transport spaces.
The Victim’s Account:
The woman detailed that the driver made inappropriate gestures towards her and displayed behaviour that immediately made her feel unsafe. When she explicitly told the rider not to repeat the action, he made another offensive gesture while leaving, which left her further terrified.
She clarified that while this was not the first time she had experienced such behaviour, she could not remain silent on this occasion because she felt truly and deeply unsafe.
A Call to Empowerment:
The woman stated that her motivation for sharing her story was to empower other women. Her powerful message asserted: “I am writing this so that no woman has to go through such a situation, neither in a cab, nor on a bike, nor anywhere else.” She advised fellow women: “Please be alert, trust your gut feeling, and do not remain silent.”
This incident raises serious questions about the safety mechanisms within technology-driven transport services and highlights the daily challenges women face in India’s urban centres.
