Adil Khalqi has been keeping busy this spring with dozens of special deliveries – all in the name of culturally sensitive safety.
With a large Sikh population among his constituents, the Ward 3 town councillor was recently contacted by the Town of Oakville’s Sustainable Transportation Program coordinator with a protection-related offer he couldn’t refuse.
Khalqi knew there was a significant local demand for a Bold Helmet, a relatively new invention that has a raised dome to better fit a Sikh child’s patka.
And what better time to distribute these around the community than in April – Sikh Heritage Month.
“When the opportunity came up to partner on this, I felt it was a really valuable, exciting initiative,” said Khalqi.
Echoing that was Geeta Kalyan, whose 10-year-old son Ari is among the 50 or so Milton beneficiaries of a Bold Helmet. She said she’s seen plenty of neighbourhood youth riding around without helmets because the traditional kind don’t allow enough space for their patka.
“Their parents are just hoping they wouldn’t fall. This (Bold Helmets) is a great initiative.”
Introduced a little over a year ago, the Bold Helmet is the brainchild of Brampton occupational therapist Tina Singh, who tried everything to make regular helmets fit her three young children’s patka – including cutting out some of the foam – before creating her own design.
Kalyan said the invention and local donation – made possible through the GTHA Smart Commute program – is another way of boosting inclusion in racialized communities.
Khalqi still has several Bold Helmets left. Those wishing to acquire one for their child can contact him at [email protected].
For more information on Bold Helmets, visit boldhelmets.com.