The issue in India is that bicycles (and to a lesser extent motorcycles) are a death wish. Plenty used, because also cheap. But I’ve personally seen several seriously nasty accidents that would not have hurt anyone even with the minimal protection that an auto rickshaw provides.

Also, women tend to get groped more on bicycles/bikes, and weather is a big problem. The shade on an auto rickshaw in Hyderabad, or when it rains in Bangalore are pretty handy.