State Government relaxes bike helmet rules for people who must wear religious headwear CYCLISTS who cannot wear bicycle helmets because of religious headwear will be exempted from the law under changes being made by the State Government. Transport Minister Scott Emerson reviewed the law following a recent court decision to overturn the fine for a cyclist who was unable to wear a helmet because of his turban. Mr Emerson said other states including Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia also had these exemptions. "After applying a common sense approach, we will introduce exemptions for those who want to cycle but for religious reasons may not be able to wear a helmet," he said. By the end of this year the exemptions will be in place so that anyone wearing religious headdresses can ride a bike in Queensland without a helmet on. Mr Emerson said there would be no need to apply for an exemption, to make for a more "streamlined process." But wearing a helmet would remain compulsory for any other cyclist he said. Studies conducted in Queensland show that those wearing a helmet have a 69 per cent reduction in the likelihood of brain injury when involved in a bike crash. "The safety of everyone on our roads is paramount, so I ask cyclists and motorists alike to use common sense and follow road rules while using our roads," he said.