Jul 27, 2011: Sikhs who wear turbans while riding their motorcycles say their human rights should trump any safety concerns.
At a recent meeting in Mississauga, the Canadian Sikh Association proposed some recommendations to the Ontario government asking Queen's Park to introduce new regulations advocating the right of turban-wearing motorcyclists to ride their bikes without wearing a helmet, as the law now requires.
The meeting was attended by provincial Liberal and Progressive Conservative leaders.
"For us, this is no more a safety issue as it has already been approved in British Columbia, Manitoba, some states in the U.S. and also in England," said Baljit Singh Ghuman, chair of the CSA. "This is more a human rights issue."
In 2008, Bedesha Singh received a traffic ticket in Brampton for riding without a helmet. An Ontario court dismissed his case, ruling that the law prohibits anyone from riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
"We have been going through this critical process to get the Ontario government to our side and make necessary amendments to the law for Sikh riders," said Manohar Singh Bal, committee co-ordinator and director of CSA.
"Safety is not an issue. It's the issue of equality, fairness and the freedom of religion," said Bal. "The government is aware of it and, as we have now handed them over a resolution, we expect a response from them."
Rahul Chawla of Able Insurance Brokers Ltd. in Mississauga says Sikhs who ride a motorcycle without a helmet will pay higher auto insurance premiums if and when the law changes.
However, Bal said: "We are ready to sacrifice on that. People pay premiums according to their needs. Some people keep cheap cars while others have luxury vehicles."