Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario raising awareness for two decades
Kevin Connor - Saturday
Toronto Sun
A group of 85 Sikhs wearing turbans and biker jackets on motorcycles driving along Ontario motorways may turn some heads, but such rides have been happening for 20 years.
“Some people are surprised, but that is dwindling rapidly,” said Jagdeep Singh, spokesman for the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario, which puts on rides for charities.
“When the club started, it was an effort for the acceptance of turbans, making sure citizens are equal and able to wear turbans.”
A turban is a important symbol for Sikhs and some motorcyclists of the faith have had helmet exemptions for years.
British Columbia and Manitoba first granted Sikhs a helmet exemption in 1999. Ontario and Alberta granted the exemption in 2018.
In Ontario, there are 85 club members and they participate in eight to 10 charitable rides a year.
One upcoming charitable ride will be to support victims of Canada’s aboriginal residential school system.
“We can relate to systematic oppression and the loss of territory, language and culture ever since we lost self rule (in Punjab) in 1849,” Singh said. “We were displaced and oppressed in that geographical area. The residential schools, we resonate with that.”
© Supplied
Toronto Sun
A group of 85 Sikhs wearing turbans and biker jackets on motorcycles driving along Ontario motorways may turn some heads, but such rides have been happening for 20 years.
“Some people are surprised, but that is dwindling rapidly,” said Jagdeep Singh, spokesman for the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario, which puts on rides for charities.
“When the club started, it was an effort for the acceptance of turbans, making sure citizens are equal and able to wear turbans.”
A turban is a important symbol for Sikhs and some motorcyclists of the faith have had helmet exemptions for years.
British Columbia and Manitoba first granted Sikhs a helmet exemption in 1999. Ontario and Alberta granted the exemption in 2018.
In Ontario, there are 85 club members and they participate in eight to 10 charitable rides a year.
One upcoming charitable ride will be to support victims of Canada’s aboriginal residential school system.
“We can relate to systematic oppression and the loss of territory, language and culture ever since we lost self rule (in Punjab) in 1849,” Singh said. “We were displaced and oppressed in that geographical area. The residential schools, we resonate with that.”
© Supplied
Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario members participate in their Ride to Support Farmer Protests.
He said bike riding is a lifestyle
The group rides daily to places of work and appointments, said Singh, who is an architect and real estate broker.
“The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario is the essential ally and advocate of turban-wearing Sikhs who wish to ride a motorcycle in Ontario, as they are permitted to do in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, the United Kingdom and many other jurisdictions across the world,” the group’s website states.
“The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario members are passionate abut their membership and the good it does in promoting Sikhi and the Turban across Canada. The case was controversial, causing heated debate and protest across the country. Many critics felt that Canadian tradition was being sacrificed for the needs of immigrants.”
The bike club isn’t first at standing up for rights regarding turbans.
He said bike riding is a lifestyle
The group rides daily to places of work and appointments, said Singh, who is an architect and real estate broker.
“The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario is the essential ally and advocate of turban-wearing Sikhs who wish to ride a motorcycle in Ontario, as they are permitted to do in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, the United Kingdom and many other jurisdictions across the world,” the group’s website states.
“The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario members are passionate abut their membership and the good it does in promoting Sikhi and the Turban across Canada. The case was controversial, causing heated debate and protest across the country. Many critics felt that Canadian tradition was being sacrificed for the needs of immigrants.”
The bike club isn’t first at standing up for rights regarding turbans.
In 1991, Baltej Singh Dhillon was the first member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police allowed to wear a turban instead of the Mounties’ traditional Stetson.
The move triggered national debate about about religious accommodation in Canada.
© Handout
The move triggered national debate about about religious accommodation in Canada.
© Handout
Baltej Singh Dhillon was the first RCMP officer allowed to wear a turban and beard.
In March 1990, prime minister Brian Mulroney announced several changes to the RCMP dress code that allowed Dhillon to be able to serve wearing a turban.
In March 1990, prime minister Brian Mulroney announced several changes to the RCMP dress code that allowed Dhillon to be able to serve wearing a turban.
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The SMCO is a non-profit organization. which doesn’t discriminate against any race, gender, religion or ethnicity.
There mission is to promote and enforce rights of the Sikh motorcycle riders. They also plan to lobby the next Ontario government for more turban rights.
“There are a lot of places where turbans aren’t allowed, like construction sites where you have to wear a helmet,” Singh said.
The club strives to bring together a group of people with a belief in Sikh philosophies and riding style to spread awareness among the people about the importance of the Sikh turban and promote the fellowship among the motorcycle riders.
“We are passionate about riding and will continue to do so for good cause, give us a call,” Singh said. “We enjoy getting conversations started.”
Nationally, the organization has raised $28,000 for United Sikhs — a UN affiliated multi-national NGO, currently operating on the borders of Ukraine for relief work; $100,000 for Khalsa Aid — a multinational NGO; $170,000 for Diabetes Canada; and $115,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society, just to name a few.
kconnor@postmedia.com
There mission is to promote and enforce rights of the Sikh motorcycle riders. They also plan to lobby the next Ontario government for more turban rights.
“There are a lot of places where turbans aren’t allowed, like construction sites where you have to wear a helmet,” Singh said.
The club strives to bring together a group of people with a belief in Sikh philosophies and riding style to spread awareness among the people about the importance of the Sikh turban and promote the fellowship among the motorcycle riders.
“We are passionate about riding and will continue to do so for good cause, give us a call,” Singh said. “We enjoy getting conversations started.”
Nationally, the organization has raised $28,000 for United Sikhs — a UN affiliated multi-national NGO, currently operating on the borders of Ukraine for relief work; $100,000 for Khalsa Aid — a multinational NGO; $170,000 for Diabetes Canada; and $115,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society, just to name a few.
kconnor@postmedia.com
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