Australian State Exempts Sikhs From Bike Helmet Requirement

In the Australian state of Queensland, the Transport Minister today announced that Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009 is being amended to exempt Sikhs from the requirement to wear a bicycle helmet. The helmets will not fit over turbans that Sikhs wear for religious reasons. According to the Brisbane Times, the amended Regulations will provide an exemption for an individual's longstanding religious beliefs. The change came after a court last month refused to impose a fine or demerit points on the license of cyclist Jasdeep Atwal, a Sikh, who was booked for riding without a helmet. (Brisbane Times, 3/27). The exemption will not apply to motorcyclists.