A Blessing for Those Who Brave City Streets on Two Wheels

From The New York Times-

There were, to be sure, lighthearted, even silly moments at the Blessing of the Bikes at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Saturday, but some cyclists had gone there for very profound reasons.

For Nadette Stasa, 47, a casting director, it was a chance to honor a friend, Marilyn Dershowitz, who died while riding her bicycle in July. “Any extra help you can get on the streets is good,” said Ms. Stasa, who wore a red clown’s nose to the festivities.

More than 200 cyclists brought their bicycles into the enormous Episcopal sanctuary to receive a blessing that included sprinkling of holy water. Many said they believed that the ritual, the 14th annual Blessing of the Bikes, would help keep them safe while pedaling through the frenzied and sometimes dangerous city traffic.

“You need all the help you can get on some of these streets,” said Allen Wong, 44, a Roman Catholic, who added that Saturday’s service was the first time in a long time that he had been to a church.
More here-

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/05/a-blessing-for-those-who-brave-city-streets-on-two-wheels/