Sikh Dastaar and Bicycle Helmets

Image credit: The NDP’s new leader Jagmeet Singh loves cycling (Cyclingmagazine.ca)

Many Sikhs love riding bicycles. However Dastaars (turbans) and helmets aren’t great friends.

Sikhs find it difficult to wear a helmet over the Dastaar due to primarily two issues/concerns:

  1. Practical - a Sikh who wears a Dastaar is unable to adequately fit a helmet over their turban without rendering the helmet useless or making the wearing of the helmet more dangerous for the rider.

  2. Belief system - a Sikh may be of the view that covering the Dastaar in any shape or form goes contrary to the tenets of their religion that prohibits such conduct.

For many Sikhs, covering their turban with a helmet is considered a lapse in religious practice. This is because the helmet covers the turban and diminishes one of its fundamental roles - to identify the person as a Sikh through the keeping of hair and wearing a turban.

Many Australian states and territories have recognised the issues mentioned above and provided for an exemption from the bicycle helmet requirement to Sikhs that wear a Dastaar. The bicycle helmet exemption for the Dastaar depends on each state’s applicable laws.

Table: Summary of Australian Bicycle Helmet Laws - States and Territories Comparison

Australian States and Territories law - Sikh bicycle helmet exemption:

Frequently asked questions

Do some Sikhs wear a helmet even if they ordinarily wear a turban?

Practically speaking it is not possible for practising Sikhs (i.e. Sikhs who keep their hair and wear turbans) to put on a helmet over their Dastaar. Some Sikhs (practising or otherwise) may modify their turban, wear a smaller turban like a Patka or even remove their turban to accomodate easier wearing of a helmet. This would be considered by many Sikhs as a lapse in their practices.

Can I ride a bike without a helmet if I am a Sikh wearing a patka (smaller turban)?

This depends on which state in which you are riding your bike. Some smaller turbans like patkas may not make it ‘impractical’ for you to wear a helmet. That is, you could still wear a helmet on top of your smaller turban. For example, to comply with the relevant law in the ACT, QLD, VIC and WA you would need to be wearing a Dastaar that makes it impractical for you to wear a helmet.