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14th Annual Blessing Of The Bikes

NEW YORK (AP) -- More than 200 bicycles have been blessed with a sprinkling of holy water at New York City's Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Saturday marked the 14h annual Blessing of the Bikes at the cavernous Episcopal cathedral. Some cyclists said they believe the ritual will help keep them safe as they pedal through city traffic.

Allen Wong told The New York Times that cyclists need ``all the help'' they can get. Wong is Roman Catholic but said he rarely goes to church.

Leah Todd read the names of more than two dozen cyclists who died in traffic accidents in New York in 2011 and 2012. After she spoke, a bagpipe trio performed ``Amazing Grace,'' and five cyclists walked a bicycle with no rider up an aisle.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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