NEW DELHI, June 10 — A short bike ride has sparked a long debate. A video showing a Delhi woman booking an Ola bike for a mere 180-meter journey — roughly a two-minute walk — has gone viral on Instagram, amassing over 7 million views and nearly 200,000 likes. Her reason? Fear of stray dogs.
The video, filmed and shared by the rider, captures his moment of surprise upon realizing the distance. “Madam, it’s only 180 meters,” he can be heard saying. The woman calmly responds that she booked the ride to avoid a group of street dogs commonly seen on the route. The fare for the ultra-short trip was ₹19.
While some online have found the incident amusing, others are backing the woman’s decision. Comments praising her include, “Thank you brother for helping a girl feel safe,” and “It’s better to give 19 rupees than to get injected.” One user remarked, “She is right, 19 rs is not a big deal. If a dog bites, it will cost injury, pain, time — and ₹1,900.”
But the other side of the internet wasn’t as sympathetic. Several viewers pointed out that no stray dogs were visible in the video. “Ek bhi dog toh dikha nahi,” one comment read. Another quipped, “Agli baar washroom me chipkali ho to waha ki bhi ride book kr lena.” Someone else joked, “Dogs won this match.”
Beyond the laughter and criticism, the clip has inadvertently reopened conversations about urban safety, especially for women, and the persistent issue of stray dogs in cities like Delhi. Several users used the viral moment to call for improved animal control and better civic infrastructure.
While the video remains a trending topic, the woman’s brief ride has triggered a much longer discussion — one balancing personal safety, urban anxiety, and the internet’s ever-watchful gaze.
