Alberta allows Sikhs to drive motorcycles without helmets
Saturday, 31/03/2018
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TORONTO:Canada’s Alberta province, which has the third largest population of Sikhs after British Columbia and Onatrio, will allow turban-wearing Sikhs to drive motorcycles without a helmet from April 12.
British Columbia and Manitoba already allow Sikhs to drive motorcycles without helmets.
Alberta’s transportation minister Brian Mason said on Thursday that the exemption was granted at the request of the Sikh community as recognition of their civil rights and religious expression. The exemption applies to drivers and passengers over the age of 18 who are Sikhs.
According to an Alberta government spokesperson, a rider wearing a turban, but not a helmet, will have to self-identify to be considered a Sikh. At that point, it would be up to the discretion of the officer. If the officer doesn’t believe the rider, a ticket may still be issued. The rider would then have to challenge it in court. As per the 2011 census, there are 52,335 Sikhs in Alberta.
Baltej Singh Dhillon, who became the first Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer with a turban, welcomed Alberta’s decision.
