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The Right Coast
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Soria proposes motorcycle helmet exemption for Sikhs

By Thomas A. Smith

The big picture: AB 2392 would establish a helmet exemption for anyone who wears a turban as an expression of religious belief and practice when riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or motorized bicycle. 

  • Current California law requires helmets regardless of religious belief. 
  • In a statement announcing the bill, Soria noted that California is home to half of the Sikhs in the United States, totaling around 250,000 people. 
  • Many men and some women wear turbans in the Sikh faith. 

What they re saying: AB 2392 ensures we safeguard our Sikh community s right to practice their religious expression freely, while also protecting their and other motorcyclists safety on California s roads, Soria said. 

via sjvsun.com

Turbans also provide more protection than 57 percent of helmets, according to some studies being considered to be done by me. What about those gnarly daggers? They should be able to carry them anywhere too, as should we all. What about Catholics? I think we should be able to sport crusader swords. I’m serious here.