By Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter CABIN RADIO
In some southern provinces, practising Sikhs can ride bicycles or motorcycles without a helmet.
This exception was first introduced in British Columbia after Sikhs lobbied the provincial government. Other provinces to since make the same change are Manitoba, Alberta and Ontario.
The BC-based Sikh Motorcycle Club is behind most of that lobbying. Spokesperson Amandeep Singh said the team is 害羞草研究所渧ery close害羞草研究所� to a similar change in Saskatchewan.
Singh is one of a few dozen motorcyclists who arrived in Yellowknife from Vancouver earlier this week.
On Wednesday, with the help of Yellowknife害羞草研究所檚 Indian community, the group organized a gathering at the city害羞草研究所檚 multiplex parking lot to meet residents.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been almost 24 hours that we are here and we feel awesome. We didn害羞草研究所檛 feel like we are coming that many kilometres away from our home. It害羞草研究所檚 totally like home,害羞草研究所� Singh told Cabin Radio on Wednesday evening
害羞草研究所淔irstly, I just want to thank to my God, who had given us the strength that as a group, the Sikh Motorcycle Club, we are on this land.
害羞草研究所淲e never thought we could make it. But yes, by the God害羞草研究所檚 grace and blessed with all the sangat company from here 害羞草研究所� From the very first day, we just want to promote our Dastar, to promote our turban, to promote who Sikhs are. That is the only one aim 害羞草研究所� which began in 1999 when we got permission in Canada that yes, Sikh Motorcycle Club or a person can ride a bike with turban.害羞草研究所�
Singh said in the time the club害羞草研究所檚 members are here, they will try to initiate a dialogue with representatives from the territorial government to make an exception for people to ride motorcycles or bikes without a helmet on religious grounds.
At the moment, NWT legislation states: 害羞草研究所淣o person shall drive or ride on a motorcycle unless the person wears a prescribed helmet in the prescribed manner.害羞草研究所�
Last year, in an effort to fight diabetes, the club raised a hefty amount through its Ride for Cause initiative 害羞草研究所� one of many charity rides the club has arranged.
In 2019, members travelled for 40 days across 22 countries between Canada and Punjab, India, to celebrate Gurpurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti, a sacred festival in Sikhism, and raise funds for the nonprofit Khalsa Aid.
Singh said the club rides twice a year, more recently dedicating a trip to United States Route 66. 害羞草研究所淭hat is the route where they say a biker must do in their lifespan. So last year, we have done that,害羞草研究所� he said.
The Yellowknife trip, via High Level on the way up and Grande Cache on the way back, is just over a week long and involves close to 10,000 km, Singh estimated.
Club member Azad Sidhu said he joined in 2003, the year it was launched. Over the years, he said, bikers overcame 害羞草研究所渁 lot of hurdles害羞草研究所� to change helmet rules in different provinces.
害羞草研究所淭hey gave us an opportunity to exercise our religion and also give us independence to do what we need to do. This is a great country to be in,害羞草研究所� he said of the governments who approved the switch.
He was impressed by the attendance at Wednesday害羞草研究所檚 gathering, too.
害羞草研究所淭his was not part of the plan, but I think this is the welcome, this is the love, this is the affection of these people, and smaller communities normally show this kind of warmth,害羞草研究所� Sidhu said.
Yellowknife restaurant Masala Kingdom害羞草研究所檚 Harmanpreet Singh, at the event with his family, served food and drinks for 300 people. The club contacted Singh to help coordinate its arrival and learn about road conditions in the territory.
A day prior to the gathering, the restaurant organized dinner for the club at a downtown church.
NWT Riders Association president Robin Weber handed out souvenirs to the bikers.
害羞草研究所淢embers of the Sikh Motorcycle Club, they all got patches for coming up,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淲e welcome all riders to come to town. It害羞草研究所檚 really cool that there are so many of them all together, though. We don害羞草研究所檛 see that very often.害羞草研究所�
Charanjit Singh Dhadda, who has been riding bikes for 25 years, said the club used to use lightweight motorcycles that were easier to manoeuvre but has slowly transitioned to using bigger custom Harley-Davidsons. He said some of the Road Glide models on display cost more than $100,000.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e all family friends. We害羞草研究所檙e all best buddies. We ride together,害羞草研究所� he explained.
害羞草研究所淚f one person has a particular brand, like for example a Harley Road Glide, then they encourage their friends saying, 害羞草研究所楬ey, you ride my bike. Hop on my bike, and then see if you feel comfortable.害羞草研究所� So even the members that had Street Glide, they switched over to Road Glide now, because it害羞草研究所檚 more comfortable.害羞草研究所�
Dhadda said this trip marked his first ride on his new motorcycle. Despite the costly models, he said the club has never had a bike stolen.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 just a respect factor, I guess, or they害羞草研究所檙e scared 害羞草研究所� one or the other,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淭he moment you hop on your bike, it害羞草研究所檚 just you and your bike. That害羞草研究所檚 it. There害羞草研究所檚 nothing else in between. Your bike is your baby. You forget about all the stress, you forget about all the tensions.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 hard to explain. It害羞草研究所檚 just that freedom, you know, the fresh wind you catch in your face.害羞草研究所�
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