The Blessing of the Bikes is an annual tradition in which riders of motorcycles are blessed by clergy in the hope that it will bring safety for the coming "riding" season. Many towns hold annual ceremonies to bless motorcycles at the start of the summer.^[1][2][3]

The first mass blessing of bicycles was held in 1999 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Since its beginning the ceremony has been ostensibly non-denominational, focusing more on rider safety than religion. However, the service does include prayers and reading of biblical passages.^[4] A brief memorial service is held to acknowledge riders who have died in the previous year.^[5][6]

The popularity of the service has encouraged other localities to follow suit. Annual blessings are held from Burlington, Massachusetts^[7] to Los Angeles^[8] to Melbourne^[9] and incorporate varying degrees of emphasis on religion, environmentalism, fitness, and safety.