The Vision Behind Sikh Motorcycles in Nagar Kirtan

Merging Sikh Identity with Modern Brotherhood

In the heart of Leicester, Kulwant Singh founded the Sikh Motorcycle Club UK, a bold initiative that blends Sikh values with modern brotherhood through the love of motorcycling. What started as a small group of devoted Sikh riders has grown into a national movement that is reshaping how Sikh heritage, identity and unity are represented in public spaces across the UK.

Transforming Nagar Kirtans Since 2022

Before the Sikh Motorcycle Club UK took to the streets, motorcycles were rarely, if ever, seen in Nagar Kirtan processions. The idea seemed unusual, even irreverent. But in April 2022, history was made in Leicester when the club respectfully joined the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan for the first time.

Wearing vibrant turbans and full riding gear, the Sikh riders followed the Guru Granth Sahib Ji with reverence and discipline. Their presence, carefully coordinated with local Gurdwaras, the City Council and police, was met with overwhelming positivity. The motorcycles brought energy, visibility and a renewed sense of pride to the procession.

Since then, the club has been invited to lead and participate in Nagar Kirtans across the UK, including:

Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, Ipswich, Manchester
Crawley – Holla Mohalla celebrations (March 2025)

Inspired by this success, other cities such as Birmingham, Gravesend, Leeds, Wolverhampton and Woolwich are now beginning to include Sikh motorcycle processions in their own events, often reaching out to the club for guidance.

More Than a Ride – It’s a Mission

From day one, the Sikh Motorcycle Club UK has stood for more than just riding. It represents faith, service and identity.

The club is deeply rooted in Sikh values such as seva (selfless service), discipline and unity, and members actively:

Participate in multi-faith Remembrance Day services
Support charity events and community langar
Organise youth-focused workshops on Sikh history, turban tying and safety
Promote positive Sikh representation across generations

This fusion of faith, service and visibility has become a powerful tool in challenging stereotypes and reinforcing pride in Sikh heritage throughout the UK.

Media Recognition and Growing Influence

The Sikh Motorcycle Club UK’s message has reached far beyond the streets thanks to national media coverage and growing public interest:

BBC Radio Leicester – Jo Bostock Show
BBC One Show – Vaisakhi Special (April 2023)
ITV’s The Motorbike Show with Henry Cole (May 2023)
Sikh Channel, Akaal Channel, Brit Punjabi, Channel Punjab, PTC, Ajit TV, Panjab TV
Leicester Mercury, Leicestershire Live

Each feature helps amplify the club’s mission: to proudly represent Sikhs in public, to inspire the youth, and to demonstrate how modern lifestyles and spiritual values can work hand in hand.

Important Advisory for Riders Participating in Nagar Kirtans

Planning to Ride in Your Local Nagar Kirtan?

If you intend to ride your motorcycle in a Nagar Kirtan, please consult your local Gurdwara Sahib and council well in advance. There are specific legal and safety requirements that must be respected, including:

Inclusion in the official procession plan
Completion of health and safety risk assessments
Maintaining spiritual discipline and decorum

Failure to follow these protocols can jeopardise future events and compromise the safety of the Sangat.

Not a Member of the Sikh Motorcycle Club UK? Please Read Carefully

The Sikh Motorcycle Club UK sets a high standard for discipline and presentation. If you are participating independently, we urge you to uphold the same level of integrity:

Please avoid the following:

Performing stunts or riding recklessly
Riding without a valid licence, MOT or insurance
Disrespecting the Guru Granth Sahib Ji or Sangat
Disrupting the flow of the procession or drawing negative attention

Irresponsible behaviour reflects poorly not only on you but on the entire Sikh riding community. Let us all ride with purpose, pride and spiritual respect.

Riding into the Future

From a grassroots initiative in Leicester to a nationally respected movement, the Sikh Motorcycle Club UK is proof that tradition and modern identity can go hand in hand.

With more communities taking inspiration and Sikh youth becoming more connected to their heritage, this club stands as a living tribute to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s spirit – bold, fearless and full of purpose.

In the heart of Leicester, a visionary named Kulwant Singh dared to break the mold. He spearheaded the participation of motorcycles in the city’s famed Nagar Kirtan, a vibrant procession that celebrates Sikh culture and spirituality. This unprecedented move not only introduced Sikh Motorcycle Club UK (SMCUK) to a wider audience but also set a precedent for other towns across the country.

Prior to Kulwant’s initiative, motorcycles were not a common sight in Nagar Kirtan processions. The thought of these powerful machines weaving through the crowds of devotees seemed audacious, even sacrilegious. However, Kulwant saw an opportunity to showcase the Sikh community’s diversity and modernity while maintaining reverence for tradition.

With unwavering determination, Kulwant worked tirelessly to overcome initial scepticism and secure permission from the Nagar Kirtan organisers & City Council. He believed that motorcycles could represent the Sikh spirit of innovation and adaptability, perfectly complementing the procession’s message of harmony and unity.

On the day of the Nagar Kirtan, Kulwant’s vision came to life. As SMCUK’s gleaming motorcycles cruised through the streets, the crowds erupted in cheers and applause. The sight of these majestic machines, adorned with vibrant Sikh symbols, transformed the procession into a dazzling spectacle that captivated the entire city.

Kulwant’s ground-breaking initiative did not stop there. Inspired by this success, other towns began incorporating motorcycles into their Nagar Kirtans, replicating SMCUK’s unique style and spreading the message of Sikh tradition as well as modernity.

Beyond Leicester’s streets, Kulwant’s impact extended to the world of television. His story caught the attention of mainstream media, showcasing the Sikh community’s dynamic and progressive spirit. Kulwant’s charismatic personality and unwavering commitment to his faith resonated with viewers, projecting a positive image of Sikhs that challenged stereotypes and fostered understanding.

Kulwant Singh’s legacy extends far beyond the confines of a single procession. He has become a role model for Sikhs worldwide, demonstrating that innovation and tradition are not mutually exclusive. His vision has transformed the Nagar Kirtan, imbuing it with a new dimension of vibrancy and cultural expression.

As Kulwant continues to inspire others, his impact will undoubtedly reverberate through generations to come. He has not only brought Sikh Motorcycle Club UK to the wider community but also ignited a movement that celebrates Sikh culture’s adaptability and modernity. Kulwant Singh is a true visionary, leading the way for others and creating positive vibes on mainstream TV.

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