In addition to Langar, the procession and the Turban tying celebrations as mentioned above, another attractive method to catch the attention of the people is the riding of vehicles by the Sikhs on such celebration occasions. Sikh riders on their motorcycles used to be a part of Gurpurab Celebrations in India since many years. However, in India they did not serve any useful purpose except to show their riding skill, particularly by doing unnecessary stunts. On the contrary, their tricks many a time proved safety hazards for themselves and others, causing many an accidents resulting into injuries and even deaths. The reason for such a situation included bad roads, lack of rules, poor enforcement of discipline and law and absence of any laudable mission. However, in foreign countries such bikers (including on motorcycles) remain in discipline, observe the rules and law and have a great mission to attract the attention of the people towards their identity so that their right to turban is not questioned and they are not forced to wear a helmet. Generally, these rides form a part of the procession or are specially organised for the purpose of fund raising for a charitable cause. Sikhs have helped a number of organisations and noble humanitarian causes by raising funds by walks, races and vehicle riding parades. These vehicles include cycles, motorcycles and cars. We shall mention here some of the events associated with such fund raising activities.
SACA Charity Bike Ride
In 1984 a group of 14 aspiring youths decided to establish a challenge that could help both local and national children’s charities. They considered a number of sporting events that would test both their determination and personal fitness. They also considered the key element of working as a team and supporting each other. The challenge would require endurance, fitness and careful planning. They set the standard for what has now become a yearly summer event lasting 2 days. The Birmingham to London cycle ride now attracts riders from all over the country and international riders each year and involves months of planning and adherence to safety management disciplines.
Raising Money for Children’s Charity
Every year a children’s charity is selected as the ride’s beneficiary. Over the last 32 years the ride has raised in excess of £510,000 in aid of different children’s charity groups. Previous beneficiaries include Barnado’s, NSPCC, Capital FM’s ‘Help a London Child Appeal’, Ealing Hospitals ‘Playground in the Sky Appeal’, Contact a Family, Debra, Down Syndrome Research Foundation, Scope, Whizz Kidz, SCOPE, Richard House, Children with Leukaemia, WellChild, Rainbow Trust and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
They set the standard for what has now become a yearly summer event lasting 2 days. The Birmingham to London cycle ride now attracts riders from all over the country and international riders each year and involves months of planning and adherence to safety management disciplines. The ride starts from Birmingham (Smethwick). It then proceeds through Coventry, Daventry and then through Milton Keynes before reaching a centennial milestone in Luton. After an overnight stay, the ride continues in the morning and passes through St Albans, Radlett, Elstree, Harrow and then reaches its final destination in London (Southall). All the riders are escorted into the town centre surrounded by a sense of appreciation from the local community and support services. The popularity of the ride has grown each year with the organisers grateful for the continuing support from local and national corporate sponsors. Organisations and individuals have kindly helped in sponsorship, logistical support and rider sponsorship competition awards each year. The ride continues to be featured each year by media partners including, RTV Television Network, Zee TV , Sikh Channel, Sangat TV, MA TV, Cineworld Cinemas, Capital Radio 95.8FM, BRMB Radio96.4FM, Desi Radio, Punjabi Radio and other Local Radio stations and newspapers throughout the country. SACA Charity No:1099447.
This is not the only organization in UK which organized Bike Rides for the purpose of charity. There are some other organizations also which have adopted the Bike Rides as an annual event.
Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario
This club of Ontario has played a very important role in making the identity of the Sikhs known to the people living in those places of Canada. The significant contribution lies in the fact that they made strenuous efforts to persuade the Government of Ontario state to allow the Sikh to ply motorcycle without wearing a helmet. Their arguments has been that their turban, the article of their faith, is not merely a crown on their head to give them a distinguishing identity, but also protects them from any kind of injury. The Sikh had fought all the battles by wearing their turbans and not any other protective hear wear. That is why in many other states of Canada and also in U.K. they were exempted from wearing helmets while driving their motorcycles or other two wheelers. Ultimately, when there was a change in the Government in 2018, the new Government of the state led by Premier Mr. Dug Ford accepted their demand. In November 2018, when the club along with United Sikh Organisation organised their Annual Night Programme at Brampton, they honoured the Premier for alloying them this benefit of exemption from helmet. S. Inderjit Singh Jagraon and S. Khushwant Singh Bajwa are the President and Secretary of this Club.
Guru Nanak Car Rally
It is not only the cycles or the motorcycles which are used by the Sikh bikers to apprise the people of their identity and raise funds for charitable causes, a car rally is also organised in Toronto every year by Guru Nanak Community Services Foundation. 20th Annual Car Rally and family picnic was organised on 12 August 2018 in association with United Sports Club, Sikh Sports Club and Toronto Auto Sport Club. This car rally is organised to raise funds for charity. So far GNCSF has raised $250,000 for William Osler Health Centre, Brampton Civic Hospital, Credit Valley Hospital Mississauga.
