A Hobart man wants the law changed so that men from the Sikh religion can ride motorbikes wearing their turbans rather than helmets.
Harpreed Singh, who is originally from New Delhi, has not ridden a motorbike since moving to Tasmania in 2008 because of the legal requirement to wear a helmet.
Members of the Sikh faith wear turbans for religious reasons and do not want remove them.
“I can’t go without a turban to any office or anyone’s house, or I can’t go bare-headed,” he explained.
“I have been wearing a turban since I was in grade six.
“I have ridden motorbikes all my life and in India it is allowed and even in the UK, Canada and the US you can ride, Sikhs can ride a bike with a turban on.”
While Sikhs in many Australian states are allowed to ride bicycles without a helmet, the exemption does not extend to motorbikes.
In Tasmania, the fine for not wearing a helmet is $140 and 3 demerit points.
But rather than sit back and accept the law as it stands, Harpreed Singh has been taking legal advice on how to change it.
“It should be for all the Sikhs who want to ride the bike with a turban on, it’s not specially for me. I would like to take it for all the Sikh community.”
The Tasmanian Government says the transport commissioner has the power to exempt individuals from wearing a helmet.
Anti-discrimination commissioner Robin Banks says it would be better to exempt the entire Sikh religion.
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Source: ABC News