Women Adopting Electric Scooters in Punjab
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in women adopting electric scooters and motorcycles for daily travel across major cities in Punjab. This shift is largely driven by factors such as education, work commitments, and the need for greater mobility.
Concerns Over Road Safety Persist
Despite this trend, concerns about harassment and road safety persist for female riders. According to data from The Express , there has been a significant rise in complaints filed by women regarding harassment in public spaces over recent years.
Harassment Cases Rise
In 2024, more than 80,000 complaints were registered, with the number increasing to around 100,000 in 2025 and over 25,000 cases in the first four months of 2026. A majority of these incidents involved stalking or street harassment.
Impact on Female Riders
Female riders often report feeling intimidated by male drivers who deliberately drive closely or aggressively when they are overtaken. This behavior not only creates a hostile environment but also increases the risk of accidents, as highlighted by Rescue 1122 data showing that women account for 19.4% of traffic accident injuries in Punjab.
Efforts to Improve Safety
Authorities have implemented various measures to improve safety and confidence among female riders, including deploying female patrol officers in high-traffic areas and using surveillance systems to identify offenders. However, there is a need to address the underlying issue of aggressive driving behavior that contributes to road harassment.