On a quiet Saturday morning each and every spring, something special happens inside one of the world’s largest cathedrals. Cyclists roll through the towering doors of Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, leaning their bikes beside ancient stone columns as sunlight filters through stained glass windows. Helmets dangle from handlebars. Road bikes, commuters, cargo bikes, and the occasional battered touring rig sit side by side.
Then a reverend steps forward, lifts a small vessel of holy water, and begins blessing bicycles.
The Blessing of the Bikes has become one of the city’s most quietly meaningful cycling traditions. In 2026 it marks its 28th year, a brief but memorable gathering that brings riders together before one of the biggest cycling weekends in North America.
A Brief Ceremony With a Big Message
The event takes place before the massive Five Boro Bike Tour fills New York’s streets with tens of thousands of riders.
The ceremony itself lasts only a few minutes. But within that short window it captures something essential about cycling culture: community, vulnerability, and joy.
After a few welcoming words, the reverend sprinkles holy water across the assembled bikes. Riders bow their heads for a moment of silence to remember cyclists lost during the previous year — a reminder that cycling, even in vibrant cities, carries real risks.
Then comes the celebration.
At a signal, riders lift their hands to their handlebars and ring their bicycle bells. The cathedral echoes with the sound — dozens or sometimes hundreds of bells chiming together beneath vaulted ceilings built more than a century ago.
Moments later, just as quickly as it began, the ceremony ends.
A Tradition Born From Cycling Community
The gathering was started by New York cycling advocate Glen Goldstein, who has organized the event annually for nearly three decades. What began as a small, somewhat whimsical idea has grown into a beloved ritual within the city’s cycling scene.
The clergy at St. John the Divine have embraced the event, welcoming riders into a space where cyclists might not always feel invited in a busy city.
Part of what makes the Blessing of the Bikes memorable is the setting itself.
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is one of the largest churches on Earth, a vast Gothic structure whose construction began in 1892 and continues even today.
Blessing of the Bikes at St. John Divine NYC (photo: Instagram @stjohndivinenyc)
Supporting the Community
The event itself is free, though organizers traditionally pass a helmet — rather than a hat — for voluntary donations.
The contributions go directly to the cathedral, which runs a variety of neighbourhood outreach programs, including services supporting people experiencing homelessness in the surrounding community.
It’s a small gesture that reflects another shared cycling value: giving back to the places where we ride.
A Global Idea on Two Wheels
The Blessing of the Bikes in New York is part of a broader global tradition. Similar ceremonies take place in some cities across Europe and North America, where religious communities have long offered blessings for travelers, vehicles, and tools of everyday life.
If you know of a Blessing of the Bikes let us know so we can update the story!