Our Experience at the Uber Moto Experience Launch

On 8 May 2025, Urban Lifestyle had the opportunity to attend the Uber Moto Experience Launch at RollEgoli. The event was more than a product showcase — it was a deeply personal and informative look into how Uber is transforming urban mobility in South Africa.

First Ride Feelings: Nervousness to Confidence

Deepesh Thomas, Director, GM, Sub-Saharan Africa, Uber shared a candid and relatable first-time experience riding on an Uber Moto. Partnered with an experienced rider, the initial nerves quickly turned into excitement and trust. It began awkwardly — unsure whether to hold the driver’s waist — but discovering the dedicated handlebars offered both comfort and confidence. After a few laps, what started as hesitation turned into genuine curiosity and enjoyment.

“I’ve never actually been on the back of a motorbike before… but I realised this is not as scary as I thought. I ended up taking multiple rides!”

Deepesh Thomas, Director, GM, Sub-Saharan Africa, Uber

Why Uber Moto?

Uber has launched this pilot project in Johannesburg with a clear mission: to make transportation affordable, safe, and accessible for communities often overlooked by traditional transport networks. With rides starting from just R18, Uber Moto aims to serve those who travel long distances daily by foot or can’t afford other Uber services like UberGo or UberX.

Safety First, Always

Safety wasn’t just a buzzword — it was embedded in every detail of the launch. Colin, one of Uber’s representatives, provided a thorough safety demonstration and broke down the key safety features:

• Protective Gear: Each Uber Moto driver is equipped with two certified helmets, one for the rider and one for the passenger, as well as a padded, high-visibility jacket.
• Hygiene Protocols: Hair nets are provided for every rider to ensure helmet hygiene.
• Driver Vetting & Training: All drivers must pass a specialised evaluation developed in partnership with a company that also trains advanced drivers for luxury automotive brands. This ensures a high level of professionalism and expertise.

A Modality for Impact

Uber Moto isn’t just about rides — it’s about impact. For many South Africans, it offers a reliable way to get to work, school, or essential services. By piloting in Johannesburg, Uber is starting small but thinking big — aiming to expand once safety and efficiency benchmarks are fully met.

The distinctive blue branding on the Moto bikes and helmets makes the service easily identifiable, adding an extra layer of security and trust for first-time users.

Final Thoughts

The Uber Moto Experience Launch gave us more than a test ride — it gave us insight into a forward-thinking transportation solution rooted in safety, accessibility, and economic upliftment. As Uber continues to evaluate and scale this service, one thing is clear: the future of everyday mobility in South Africa is shifting gears.

Urban Lifestyle encourages everyone to give Uber Moto a try — you might just be surprised at how smooth the ride is.