[Land-speed] Non-LSR - helmet vs. turban

[Jon Wennerberg]

I'll break this into two emails so it doesn't get kicked out because  
it's too long.  Believe this if you'd like to do so:

Part One:  Watchdog backs motorcyclist in turban battle
Feb 15, 2008 04:30 AM
BOB MITCHELL
STAFF REPORTER
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has ridden to the defence of a  
Brampton
man who says being forced to wear a motorcycle helmet instead of his  
turban
runs counter to his religious faith.

Baljinder Badesha, above, who was charged by Peel police in September  
2005
with failing to wear a helmet, said he understands the inherent  
dangers of
riding a motorcycle without a helmet but is willing to take the risk to
follow his Sikh tenets.

"I know it is for safety, but people die in car accidents all the  
time," the
39-year-old owner of a used car dealership said yesterday outside a  
Brampton
court. He is fighting a $110 ticket he received for wearing his turban
instead of a helmet while riding his motorcycle on Queen St. in Brampton
near Hwy. 410.

Now the Ontario Human Rights Commission is siding with him, insisting
Badesha is being discriminated against.

"Telling Mr. Badesha to choose between his religion or participating  
in the
normal life of Ontario is discrimination," Scott Hutchison, an  
attorney for
the human rights commission, told a Brampton court yesterday.

"Roads and riding a motorcycle are something that is available to  
everybody
in Ontario provided they wear a helmet. But that condition makes it
impossible for Mr. Bedesha and everybody of the Sikh religion. That  
amounts
to discrimination."

He said the Human Rights code "prevails" over the Highway Traffic Act  
(HTA).
Forcing him to wear his helmet "infringes on his human dignity,"  
Hutchison
said.

Badesha hasn't ridden his motorcycle since he received his ticket.

"I was riding for three or four weeks. They caught me one day and  
gave me a
ticket," said Badesha, outside of the courtroom. "I haven't ridden  
since."

The married father of four has also been prevented from test-riding
motorcycles sold at his dealership.

To be continued

Jon , tall guy with moustache
and two 200 MPH Club hats