Senators in California voted in favour of a bill to exempt Sikhs from wearing a safety helmet while riding a motorcycle. Senate Bill 847, authored by Senator Brian Dahle, was approved by the state Senate this week by a 21-8 vote and will now move to the Assembly.
In a statement after introducing the bill in the Senate, Dahle said, “Freedom of religion is a core foundation of this country. We have the right, as Americans, to freely express our religion, and I believe that right should extend equally to everyone.”
He said exempting turban or patka wearers from wearing helmets is a simple way to protect everyone’s religious freedom. According to the 2021 American Community Survey estimates, 211,000 Sikhs live in California, almost half of all Sikhs living in America. The State Senate was told that till now, there is no such helmet available in the market, which has a turban or patka, but according to the members of the Sikh community, the turban is good protection.
Currently, 18 states and Washington, DC, have a universal helmet law for all riders. Helmets are generally required after the age (of 18 or 21) for specified riders in 29 states. Only Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire do not have motorcycle helmet laws.
Dahle’s office said, “While other countries and our military make accommodations for the deep-seated beliefs of Sikhs, helmets are required in U.S. states by anyone who is a Sikh or a member of any other community based on religious practice.” There is no discount for groups.
This question of helmets for Sikhs has also been debated and considered in other countries like Canada and UK. In Canada, Sikhs are exempt from motorcycle helmet laws in several provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario. Supporters of the bill include the Legendary Sikh Riders, Sikh Legends of America and the Sikh Saints Motorcycle Club.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 5,500 motorcyclists died in 2020, and more than 180,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained in crashes.
