Expect 300,000 new Uber motorbike riders in South Africa

Uber plans to greatly expand its motorcycle-based e-hailing service in South Africa even as concerns grow over the safety of such an option.

The company recently announced it would invest R5 billion in the country’s mobility, delivery, and digital economies at the South Africa Investment Conference.

Uber said it believes it can establish as many as 300,000 new earning opportunities for individuals on its Uber Moto service over the next decade.

Uber Moto is a relatively new service that the platform introduced in early 2026.

Initially limited to Johannesburg’s western suburbs, Moto allows users to summon a motorcycle operator and ride on the back of the bike.

It is touted as a convenient and affordably service for short trips around city centres, as prices start at just R18.

The company believes that there is tremendous growth potential for Uber Moto in South Africa.

“We have seen a strong traction in new verticals over the past year,” said Deepesh Thomas, Uber General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Moto, in particular, could become a core engine for transportation and e-hailing in South Africa over the next decade.”

While motorbike-based services are very popular in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America, they are typically associated with high-density urban sprawls with severe congestion.

In South Africa, Moto has been flagged by motorcycle riding experts over its safety shortcomings.

Hein Jonker, founder of the Motorcycle Safety Institute of South Africa, labelled Uber Moto a “foolish” service and that people with common sense should give it a “hard pass.”

“There are just too many variables to address and too few laws or regulations to effectively manage such a programme. I can say with confidence it will fail,” Jonker said.

“It’s about making money; it is not about the life carried by an incompetent and underqualified rider in an
unsafe environment on a most likely incapable motorcycle.”

The managing director of Driving.co.za, Rob Handfield-Jones, expressed similar views, calling the service “absurd” in the context of South Africa’s road fatality statistics.

Important to note is that, under the National Land Transport Amendment Act (gazetted in September 2025), all e-hailing drivers must hold a professional driving permit (PrDP).

Jonker and Handfield-Jones maintain that merely possessing a PrDP does not guarantee a user’s safety on Uber Moto.

This is because a PrDP does not require demonstrating any skills unique to driving a motorcycle.

Motorcycle riders need motorcycle training

Jonker argued that Uber Moto drivers should be required to undergo specialised training to prepare them to take passengers on a motorbike.

“It takes a whole different mindset and skillset to safely carry another person on the back of a motorcycle,” he said.

“They should be coached to handle a variety of scenarios.”

This includes braking, turning, quick stops, mounting, dismounting, and swerving to avoid obstacles while maintaining full control.

Additionally, they should be trained to effectively brief passengers on safety, and know basic first aid.

Another issue with motorbike-based services is that, in South Africa, all riders and passengers are legally required to wear a correctly-sized helmet.

Handfield-Jones said it is unrealistic to expect Moto riders to have a variety of helmets on hand to suit different passengers.

“A considerable percentage of passengers would have no option but to wear an ill-fitting helmet in contravention of the law, and at considerable risk to their own safety,” he said.

There’s also the matter of quality assurance, as passengers have no way of knowing whether a provided helmet has been dropped and damaged, potentially compromising its ability to protect in an accident.

“How many prospective paying motorcycle passengers are aware of this risk?” he asked.

“Any serious motorcyclist knows that if you drop your helmet, its life is over.”

Uber previously told our sister publication MyBroadband that Uber Moto is a safe and affordable option for South African commuters.

It said that all users are provided with helmets and a guide on safe pillion riding, covering mounting, dismounting, and correct helmet usage.

However, the company did not answer questions about how it can ensure there are correct-fitting helmets for all passengers head sizes.