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 B次元官网网址渧ery closeB次元官网网址� 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 YellowknifeB次元官网网址檚 Indian community, the group organized a gathering at the cityB次元官网网址檚 multiplex parking lot to meet residents.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been almost 24 hours that we are here and we feel awesome. We didnB次元官网网址檛 feel like we are coming that many kilometres away from our home. ItB次元官网网址檚 totally like home,B次元官网网址� Singh told Cabin Radio on Wednesday evening

B次元官网网址淔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.

B次元官网网址淲e never thought we could make it. But yes, by the GodB次元官网网址檚 grace and blessed with all the sangat company from here B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址� which began in 1999 when we got permission in Canada that yes, Sikh Motorcycle Club or a person can ride a bike with turban.B次元官网网址�

Singh said in the time the clubB次元官网网址檚 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: B次元官网网址淣o person shall drive or ride on a motorcycle unless the person wears a prescribed helmet in the prescribed manner.B次元官网网址�

Last year, in an effort to fight diabetes, the club raised a hefty amount through its Ride for Cause initiative B次元官网网址� 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. B次元官网网址淭hat is the route where they say a biker must do in their lifespan. So last year, we have done that,B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址渁 lot of hurdlesB次元官网网址� to change helmet rules in different provinces.

B次元官网网址淭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,B次元官网网址� he said of the governments who approved the switch.

He was impressed by the attendance at WednesdayB次元官网网址檚 gathering, too.

B次元官网网址淭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,B次元官网网址� Sidhu said.

Yellowknife restaurant Masala KingdomB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淢embers of the Sikh Motorcycle Club, they all got patches for coming up,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e welcome all riders to come to town. ItB次元官网网址檚 really cool that there are so many of them all together, though. We donB次元官网网址檛 see that very often.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e all family friends. WeB次元官网网址檙e all best buddies. We ride together,B次元官网网址� he explained.

B次元官网网址淚f one person has a particular brand, like for example a Harley Road Glide, then they encourage their friends saying, B次元官网网址楬ey, you ride my bike. Hop on my bike, and then see if you feel comfortable.B次元官网网址� So even the members that had Street Glide, they switched over to Road Glide now, because itB次元官网网址檚 more comfortable.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a respect factor, I guess, or theyB次元官网网址檙e scared B次元官网网址� one or the other,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淭he moment you hop on your bike, itB次元官网网址檚 just you and your bike. ThatB次元官网网址檚 it. ThereB次元官网网址檚 nothing else in between. Your bike is your baby. You forget about all the stress, you forget about all the tensions.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard to explain. ItB次元官网网址檚 just that freedom, you know, the fresh wind you catch in your face.B次元官网网址�

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