If you are a Sikh and you wear a turban alongside the fact that you live in Alberta, you would be delighted to know that turban-wearing Sikhs in Alberta will be allowed to ride motorcycles without a helmet starting April 12.
The new regulation was laid down in the Traffic Safety Act, amended by an order from Transportation Minister Brian Mason. Manitoba and British Columbia both already have an exemption.
According to Mason, the exemption was granted due to the huge amount of requests of the Sikh community. This is due to their civil and religious rights and they were hoping that the authorities would be able to recognize this and grant a leeway.
“We think that the number of people who will be wearing a turban and not a helmet is going to be very small,” Mason said. “So we decided on the balance that this was the right thing to do.”
After heaps of requests for the past 30 years, the Sikh community finally achieved its objective. The exemption will apply to drivers and passengers over the age of 18 who are practicing the Sikh religion.
“This change will bring some new opportunities/ businesses to bike repair shops/ after market accessories shops and Motorcycle Dealerships etc.,” said Gurpeet Pandher from the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Edmonton.