Canadian Press

A judge has ruled Ontario's helmet law does not discriminate against a turban-wearing Sikh motorcyclist.

Baljinder Badesha's fight against a $110 fine for not wearing a helmet took on the character of a constitutional challenge, with the Ontario Human Rights Commission intervening on his behalf.

The commission argued the provincial helmet law discriminates against Badesha because it violates his constitutional rights.

Ontario Court Justice James Blacklock ruled against that argument today.

Blacklock says allowing Badesha and other Sikh motorcyclists to ride without helmets would put "undue hardship" on the province because of safety concerns.

Similar challenges have seen exemptions made for Sikh motorcyclists in British Columbia and Manitoba. The United Kingdom, Hong Kong and India also allow devout Sikhs to forego the helmet.