The 18th annual "Blessing of the Bikes" will be held at the cathedral on April 30. View Full Caption Cathedral of St. John the Divine

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS — While bike lanes and infrastructure continue to increase, riding in New York City still comes with risk — and some cyclists look to the heavens for a little extra protection.

On April 30, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Amsterdam Avenue at West 112th Street will host a "Blessing of the Bicycles" at a 9:30 a.m. service.

Now in its 18th year, the tradition draws hundreds of cyclists to the historic cathedral each year, according to organizers.

During the short, free ceremony, bikes will be sprinkled with holy water and the Rev. Canon Julia E. Whitworth will bless the riders.

A bike will also be brought to the center aisle and a moment of silence observed to mark the deaths of cyclists over the past year,

After that, the spring cycling season is kicked off with each biker ringing his or her bike bell.

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