New helmet laws allow Sikhs, Muslims to ditch bike helmets in Canberra

Police in the nation’s capital can no longer fine cyclists $3200 if they choose not to wear a helmet for religious reasons but the road regulation change isn’t likely to be implemented across the border in NSW.

ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury says the ACT is an inclusive place. Picture: Lukas Coch

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Police in Canberra will no longer fine cyclists who opt to wear religious headdress instead of a helmet.

ACT Greens Road Safety Minister Shane Rattenbury on Wednesday spruiked the change to road safety regulations, which quietly came into effect in December.

Mr Rattenbury said the change was particularly important to Sikhs, whose headwear made it difficult to wear a bicycle helmet.

This bloke would still get a fine for not wearing a bike helmet in Canberra because surfing is not a religion. Picture: John Grainger

Legislation allows people to refuse to wear a helmet for religious reasons.

Sikhs have a specific exemption from wearing bicycle helmets in South Australia, while religious groups that wear headdresses are also exempt from wearing helmets in Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria. Helmet laws are not enforced in the Northern Territory.

Mr Rattenbury said: “Canberra is a community where everyone should feel included. The territory supports individuals practising their religion or belief and this regulation ensures that sections of the community are not excluded from active forms of transport.”

Sikhs have an exemption from helmets in South Australia already. Picture: Twitter/Brent Ford

Religious people can only claim the exemption if they are a member of a religious group, if they are wearing the type of headdress typically worn by members of that group, and if the headdress makes wearing a helmet impractical.

Mr Rattenbury is also Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, and is an avid cyclist.

The change to the laws leaves New South Wales as the only state without an exemption to its helmet laws for religious cyclists who wear headdress.

Sikhs in NSW have unsuccessfully lobbied the state government for an exemption.

The maximum fine for not wearing a helmet in the ACT is $3200.