The first annual Blessing of The Bicycles event in South Florida will be held at Saint Mark Catholic Church on Saturday February 6, 2010 at 7:30 am Sharp. Saint Mark Catholic Church is located at 5601 South Flamingo Road South West Ranches, FL, 33330.

The event was put together by members of the South Florida cycling community for all bike riders, regardless of age, gender, bike and faith. Our friend at Saint Mark Catholic Church, Rev. Cesar Peña will say a few kind words and then sprinkle our bikes with holy water.

There will be a moment of silence to remember those cyclists WHO LOST their lives in the past and this year, it will be a chance for all of the riders to turn their bike’s cranks backwards or ring their bicycle bells in celebration of cycling. Due to the tragic event in Haiti a Hat (helmet) will be passed around to raise donations for the victims of the earthquake. Riders will be asked to donate in cash the equivalent of whatever they spent on a rest stop while riding. For example a Gatorade + granola bar.

After the short ceremony a “Ghost Bike” will be placed later around the intersection between Glades and route 84 in memory of Leon Hamer killed last year on a bike accident.
“The blessing of the bikes is a great way to raise awareness around the community in South Florida. Bicycle riders have the same right to share the road as cars and they must be respected. The unfortunate accidents of the past year have been very regrettable and we want to honor the lifes of these men.” said Juan F. Pineda a member of the Weston Flyers a group with more than 150 riders in West Broward.”

The event is SUPPORTED BY all of the major cycling clubs in South Florida and we expect hundreds of riders, skaters and non-motorized scooters to attend this beautiful and wonderful event.
With all of the numerous accidents involving cyclist, including one fatal accident on January, 2010, where a cyclist was killed on his way to Key Biscayne, the cycling community needs all the help they can get.

Contact Persons:
Juan F. Pineda: (305) 586-6833 / jfpineda@hotmail.com
Antonio Arias: (954) 347-6763 / tsgarias@comcast.net (St. Mark Emmaus)
1) The Blessing of The BIKES was born in New York City, at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in NY. Currently The Blessing of The Bike in NY is on its 12th consecutive event with more than 500 CYCLISTS assisting this wonderful day.
For more information please visit: http://www.theblessingofthebikes.com
2) Ghost Bikes are small and somber memorials for bicyclists who are killed or hit on the street. A bicycle is painted all white and locked to a street sign near the crash site, accompanied by a small plaque. They serve as reminders of the tragedy that took place on an otherwise anonymous street corner, and as quiet statements in support of cyclists' right to safe travel.
For more information please visit: http://www.ghostbikes.org