[1] The main reasons behind drafting and enacting this legislation include the rapidly increasing number of vehicles in the country and the need for encouraging adoption of higher technology in the automotive sector.
A significant upgrade to the motor vehicle laws, it envisaged body cams on traffic cops and RTO officials to check corruption, 7-year imprisonment instead of current 2 years for drink-driving deaths, mandatory 3rd party insurance for all vehicles, and stiffer penalties for traffic violations to reduce the accident rates.
Due to frequent disruptions in Rajya Sabha and lack of support from Indian National Congress, the bill failed to turn into act and lapsed after the conclusion of interim budget session and on the account of general elections.
The non-requirement of license is also applicable to electric bicycles with power up to 250 watts or lesser and maximum speed upto 25 km/h(15.5 mph).
[26] Between 2010 and 2012, the Mumbai Police pulled over bicyclists caught for lane violations and slapped a hefty penalty of ₹ 200; it was withdrawn later after protests and harassment of riders.
[27] Furthermore, across the country, with no rulebooks or official notifications on violations committed by bicyclists like jumping red lights, abrupt lane changes, haphazard parking, or riding on banned roads within metropolitan and suburban regions, traffic cops have either seized bicycles or deflated tires for deterrence, as well as detained bicyclists, which have attracted criticism and ire of riders, as it constitutes misconduct of police personnel - the Chandigarh Police began to effect penalties against bicyclists in 2015 following an increase in mishaps and fatalities by riders breaking the law after facing ire for deflating tires of riders.
[29][30][31] In cases of serious offenses such as riding under influence, hit-and-run, street racing, or performing dangerous stunts, traffic cops have taken action under respective state police laws - while riding under influence will attract a criminal charge of public intoxication if riders are found to have higher than permissible blood alcohol level(30mg/100ml as per Motor Vehicles Act) through breathalyzer test, no provision exists for hit-and-run, although cops do try to stop bicyclists who indulge in street racing.
[32][33][34] To curb the menace of performing stunts, the Kolkata traffic police in 2018 began penalizing bicyclists and sought to enhance it from ₹ 100 to 1000, but it was met with resistance, as bicycles are not required to have any license as per the Act.
[35] Due to lack of sufficient infrastructure such as dedicated bicycle tracks or lanes, bicyclists are often at high risk when compared to motorized vehicles, and that no legislations are in effect to mandate helmets for riders pedaling, although recommendations exist.
[36] Additionally, with unofficial bans on certain roads in metropolitan regions, where there are no signages that display no bicycles allowed, traffic cops use the opportunity to pull-over bicyclists and penalize them heavily, many of who are daily wage earners, delivery agents, or minor school students, and sometimes even corporate professionals.
To prevent mishaps and accidents, as well as for improving traffic flow and reducing slowdown, the Mumbai traffic police enacted ban on two and three wheelers on the Bandra–Worli Sea Link, the Trans Harbour Link, Eastern Freeway, the BKC-Chunabhatti flyover, and the Coastal Road; the order applied to bicyclists as well through signs or written warnings, but without any mention of penalties.
While riders need not require licenses, the penalties imposed against bicyclists follow the same standards for Motor Vehicles, which are extremely steep and criticized by cyclists organizations.
[37][38] However, an official ban on bicycles has been enacted on expressways nationwide, due to high-speed limits and access control, while riders are allowed to enter on National Highways and main roads of metro cities.
[44] In January 2024, protests were organized against new law dealing with the hit-and-run cases in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
It has a provision under Section 106 (2), that attracts punishment of up to 10 years for drivers and a fine of ₹7 lakh who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration.
In many locations, there were lengthy lines at gas stations as residents hurried to fill up their cars in anticipation of a possible gasoline shortage brought on by the protest.
[47][48] Approximately 2,000 gas stations, primarily in western and northern India, ran out of fuel during the truckers' associations' strike.