Sikh bikers touring the world to promote peace and humanity

The six bikers from Canada are travelling through 20 countries to promote Guru Nanak's message of universal humanism and raise funds for an international charity.

Sikhs have to wear helmets on motorbikes, rules German court. Source: facebook/Sikh Motorcycle Club

A group of six Sikh bikers from Canada-based ‘Sikh Motorcycle Club’ has taken on the world on wheels to spread the message of universal brotherhood and peace, as propagated by Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of the faith, to commemorate his 550^th birth anniversary.

Riding on the slogan of ‘one love, one world’, the motorcyclists who embarked on the world tour on April 3 this year will journey through 20 countries before culminating their 45-day long trip in Amritsar in the north Indian state of Punjab.

Sikh Motorcycle Club bikers with Ravi Singh (centre), the founder of Khalsa Aid Source: Facebook/Sikh Motorcycle Club

Besides raising awareness about Sikhism, the other aim of the tour is to collect funds for Khalsa Aid International, a UK-based philanthropic group that carries out relief operations across the globe.

“Through this journey, we want to give the message of universal humanism of first Sikh master Guru Nanak. We will be collecting donations for Khalsa Aid, which is also been following the Sikh ethos of serving people without any discrimination of region, religion, the race of caste, said Pravjit Singh, one of the six riders.

The other five bikers include Sukhbir Singh, Jatinder Singh, Azad Singh Sidhu, Zatna Dhaliwal and Jasmeet Singh.

The group has been updating their social media pages with pictures and anecdotes from their ongoing trip.

According to their latest post on Facebook, the bikers have entered the Iran border, but would remain offline for the next few days, “due to the restrictions on Facebook usage in Iran.”

Speaking by phone from Vancouver, Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, a board member of the club told SBS Punjabi that the bikers have already succeeded in collecting funds worth approximately $63,000.

He also added that the trip is likely to take longer than anticipated.

“We are hoping that the group will reach Amritsar anywhere between 10^th and 13^th of May, depending on how long it takes them to travel through the remaining destinations particularly Pakistan,” said Mr Dhaliwal.

After a ride through US and Canada, the troupe flew to the UK, from where they set on to travel to the European countries, after which they are expected to enter Pakistan and then finally India through the Wagah Border near Amritsar.

“The Golden Temple in Amritsar will be the endpoint of the world tour,” said Mr Dhaliwal.

Ever since its inception in 2003, the Sikh Motorcycle Club based in Vancouver has been promoting the concept of safe riding amongst its members, most of whom are bike enthusiasts and, as the name suggests, love to ride.

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