Turbans & bike helmets...

[shep1001]

If you wear a turban are you excluded from wearing a crash helmet on a moped?


Twice last night I had the unfortunate experience of having to avoid the idiot on a pizza delivery bike (brand is named after a game where you place tiles with dots on end to end) riding like a complete tool. The second time he had no light on and it was about 10pm.

Anyway noticed the young lad also had no helmet on both times. He was wearing a turban does this exclude you from having to wear a helmet?

I think a call is in order to Head office of said pizza Co about this particular franchise as its not the first time drivers of their liveried bikes have been seen driving to a poor std.

[marshalla]

Not excluded, but exempted.

[Rs2oo]

Sikhs are exempt from wearing a crash helmet. I find this law VERY strange because in Sikh law/religious rules, there is NOTHING to say they HAVE to wear the turban all day long. They could unravel their cloth and put on a helmet then re-fit the turban when they end their journey.

[Conian]

they dont need a helmet, if they crash then their head already has bandages on to stem the bleeding. genius!

[Lonely]

Maybe it was one like this? No fractured skull for him!

[bluesandtwos]

[E31Shrew]

Exempt when I was in the RAF too. Does it mean that anyone could just put one on and be exempt or do you have to prove 'religion'?

[Lonely]

E31Shrew said:

Exempt when I was in the RAF too. Does it mean that anyone could just put one on and be exempt or do you have to prove 'religion'?

RTA 1988 S.16 Wearing of protective headgear

(2) A requirement imposed by regulations under this section shall not apply to any follower of the Sikh religion while he is wearing a turban.

A few pertinent questions might trip up your local con merchant!

[Smiler.]

There are alternatives though:




Not a turban, but does H&S apply too?

[streaky]

And, like other religious headwear, you are not ordered to remove it on garage forecourts, and in banks and shops - Streaky

[RemaL]

streaky said:

And, like other religious headwear, you are not ordered to remove it on garage forecourts, and in banks and shops - Streaky

This has come up a few times in Biker banter when fellow PH bikers have had to remove their lids before paying where as a ladie in her all over head gear was not asked who was right behind Said PH member.

[Pothole]

streaky said:

And, like other religious headwear, you are not ordered to remove it on garage forecourts, and in banks and shops - Streaky

Generally, a Sikh's turban does not cover his face.

[E31Shrew]

Pothole said:

streaky said:

And, like other religious headwear, you are not ordered to remove it on garage forecourts, and in banks and shops - Streaky

Generally, a Sikh's turban does not cover his face.

Front brakes are awesome these days

[Hugo a Gogo]

not every sikh wears a turban

not every sikh who wears a turban has long hair

not ever sikh who does have long hair has to wear a great big turban

some sikhs are in the british army and wear a turban under a proper helmet

you look at someone like Monty Panesar who has a close-fitting head covering, he could put a helmet on over that

[Shinysideup]

bluesandtwos said:

Exactly what came to mind when i read the title.

[Shaw Tarse]

Shinysideup said:

bluesandtwos said:

Exactly what came to mind when i read the title.

Me too

[streaky]

Pothole said:

streaky said:

And, like other religious headwear, you are not ordered to remove it on garage forecourts, and in banks and shops - Streaky

Generally, a Sikh's turban does not cover his face.

And neither do non-full-face helmets ... but there's no discrimination in their favour - Streaky

[Kindersley]

Guy near me in North london...

White hair and long beard etc . Rides a moped. Its a piss take yet again of "others" demanding that the Uk bend all the rules to suit them.

[Pothole]

streaky said:

Pothole said:

streaky said:

And, like other religious headwear, you are not ordered to remove it on garage forecourts, and in banks and shops - Streaky

Generally, a Sikh's turban does not cover his face.

And neither do non-full-face helmets ... but there's no discrimination in their favour - Streaky

If you want to campaign for some you're welcome, just try and curb the jealousy towards a group who bothered to do so and won.

[Pickled Piper]

I'm always surprised that this one gets peoples backs up. It's not as if you see hoards of Sikhs riding motor bikes and using this exemption for pecuniary advantage. In fourty odd years I've only ever seen a handful of turbaned Sikhs riding motor bikes. In the case that the OP reported it sounds like the chap was just getting on and doing his job.

I have to declare my bias as a Sikh (a non turban wearing one). I recall the campaigning in the late sixties that lead to the change in the law. IIRC it was a group of Sikhs that worked night shift at Chatham docks and had no means of getting to work other than by moped.

The exemption to the law, in part, recognised the huge numbers of turbaned Sikhs that had frontline roles in the British forces prior to and during during both world wars. I'm happy to discuss the historical and legal basis with anyone that wants a sensible discussion.

Here's a quote to frame the historical context. Winston articulates better than I can

Winston Churchill said:

..It is a matter of regret that due to the obsession of the present times people are distorting the superior religious and social values, but those who wish to preserve them with respect, we should appreciate them as well as help them. Sikhs do need our help for such a cause and we should give it happily. Those who know the Sikh history, know England's relationship with the Sikhs and are aware of the achievements of the Sikhs, they should persistently support the idea of relaxation to Sikhs to ride a motorbike with their turbans on, because it is their religious privilege."

Churchill, further added:

"...British people are highly indebted and obliged to for a long time. I know that within this century we needed their help twice and they did help us very well. As a result of their timely help, we are today able to live with honour, dignity, and independence. In the war, they fought and died for us, wearing the turbans. At that time we were not adamant that they should wear safety helmets because we knew that they are not going to wear them anyways and we would be deprived of their help. At that time due to our miserable and poor situation, we did not force it on them to wear safety helmets, why should we force it now? Rather, we should now respect their traditions and by granting this legitimate concession, win their applaud."

pp