Sikhs Who Wear Turbans to Be Exempt From Canada Motorcycle Helmet Law

A recently approved exemption to the province’s Traffic Safety Act, which kicks in on April 12, will allow Sikhs over the age of 18 to ride their motorcycles without a helmet, CTV News reported.

The decision comes amid recognition of the civil rights and religious expression of the Sikh community, which comprises at least 55,000 members in Calgary, according to The Southern Alberta Asian Heritage Foundation. Alberta will soon become the third province to grant the exemption.

"We think that the number of people who will be wearing a turban and not a helmet is going to be very small, so we decided on the balance that this was the right thing to do,” said Transportation Minister Brian Mason, according to CBC News.

Members of the Sikh community have reportedly been campaigning for the exemption for years, and ongoing discussions have been taking place with government officials since 2015, the Calgary Herald said.

Gurpeet Pandher from the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Edmonton applauded the decision, stating that it will lead to greater awareness about the Sikh identity and help people better understand the significance of wearing a turban.

Baltej Singh Dhillion, who was the first RCMP officer to wear a turban, added that the exemption showed the Alberta government’s respect towards diversity and religious rights.

"The decision by the Government of Alberta to allow Sikhs to be able to ride their motorcycles without having to remove their turbans, which is an integral part of the Sikh identity, demonstrates a deep respect for the traditions and customs of the Sikh community," he said, according to CTV News.

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