Motorcycle-based ride-hailing services (MBRH) have emerged as a controversial mobility
solution in Brazilian cities. This article analyzes their externalities based on systematic literature review
and secondary sectoral data analysis, addressing the guiding question: how to balance the benefits and
risks of MBRH through evidence-based municipal regulation? The research identifies significant
economic impacts (USD 5.6 billion in GDP in 2023) and social benefits, particularly for vulnerable
women who perceive it as a safe alternative against gender-based violence. However, challenges
persist regarding traffic safety - although data suggest lower accident rates in professional versus
personal use - labor precarization, and substitution of more sustainable transport modes. We conclude
that municipal regulation should transcend the prohibit/allow dichotomy, adopting an evidence-based
approach that mitigates trade-offs and maximizes benefits through: technical safety standards, labor protection, fare integration with collective transport, data transparency, and territorial and gender equity
mechanisms. The internalization of negative externalities and continuous monitoring are essential to
provide a safe, fair modality truly integrated into the sustainable urban mobility ecosystem.