Bengaluru: This summer, Bengaluru’s temperatures have soared to a sweltering 35°C — even hotter than Mumbai and Delhi — leaving bike taxi drivers struggling to cope with the harsh weather. Combined with sudden rain showers, the riding environment has become increasingly difficult for those spending long hours outdoors.
Due to the relentless sun, many riders have been compelled to shorten their work shifts, often choosing to ride only during cooler evening hours. Others, however, are finding inventive ways to deal with the discomfort while keeping passengers satisfied.
Kavi Ravindra, a biker with Uber, has found a standout solution — a car-like canopy installed on his two-wheeler. The cover, provided by Hyderabad-based company Sepal, includes a front windshield and an overhead shield. “It gives me protection from both sun and rain,” he said. “Even riders were impressed and told me they had never seen anything like it before.”
Ola rider Ramakrishna H opts for long-sleeved shirts, scarves, face masks, and sun guards to shield himself from sun and dust. “I manage during rains using a raincoat,” he said, “but customers often cancel during rain, costing me over ₹1,000 a day.”
However, these protective options are not without drawbacks. Rapido driver Anthony Christy Rohan mentioned, “Wearing scarves and sleeves makes me sweat more. It’s uncomfortable and I often fall sick with throat infections.”
A Shivajinagar vendor shared that they customize bike covers and accessories to help riders tackle extreme weather and road risks.
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