Uber Expands Motorcycle Rides in South Africa

Uber plans to add 300,000 motorcycles in South Africa through its Moto service, offering affordable rides but raising safety and training concerns for drivers and passengers.

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Uber is doubling down on motorcycles in South Africa. At the South Africa Investment Conference, the ride-hailing giant revealed plans to invest around R5 billion over the next decade to expand mobility and delivery solutions. A major focus will be Uber Moto, a service that uses motorcycles to pick up passengers, offering a faster, cheaper alternative to cars for short trips.

Currently, Uber Moto operates in select areas of Johannesburg, but the company aims to expand it nationwide. Deepesh Thomas, Uber South Africa’s GM, said that motorcycles could become “a core engine for transportation and e-hailing in South Africa over the next decade.” With bikes being cheaper to buy and run than cars, the service could attract hundreds of thousands of drivers while keeping fares affordable for riders.

The business case is clear, but so are the risks. Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than cars, and carrying passengers increases that risk. Safety challenges include limited helmet availability, improper fit, and the lack of full protective gear for riders and passengers. Even minor accidents can lead to serious injuries.

Skill is another factor. Transporting a pillion passenger safely requires experience and training, and not all riders, or passengers, have that. Uber claims it provides training on helmet usage and passenger transport, but the physical limitations of motorcycles and the unpredictability of riders raise legitimate safety concerns.

In short, Uber’s plan to put 300,000 motorcycles on South African roads promises cheaper, faster rides, but it also brings substantial safety and liability challenges. The company is betting that the convenience and economic opportunity outweigh the risks, leaving riders to navigate the reality of two wheels, one engine, and shared responsibility.