About

An open letter from Bicycle for a Day founder, Matthew Modine.


Hello!

Thank you to everyone that signed up and supported the first Bicycle for a Day. The response to this simple idea of protecting our environment and improving our health has been quite remarkable.

Bicycle for a Days goal is to help empower individuals with tools which they can use in their every day lives to improve and repair our environment and personal health. There are hundreds of things each of us can do everyday that will have an immediate, positive impact on the environment. Bicycling is one.

At our first event in New York City, more than 14,000 people visited the South Street Seaport and learned more about Bicycle for a Day (BFAD) and the charities BFAD supports.

American Forests: Global Re-Leaf and WaterKeeper Alliance volunteers were able to communicate their organizations goals to thousands of BFAD visitors. As a result, more trees will be planted by American Forests and rivers, lakes, streams and oceans will come under the protection and stewardship of RiverKeepers stationed around the world.

I want to personally thank all of the volunteers that helped make this year a success. Thank you to our sponsors that made BFAD possible: Tumi, MBT, Segway, Bloomingdale's, Puma, New York Health and Racquet Club, and Best Buy.

Thank you to BFAD supporters for all the time you donated to the project, NYC and CO., Kingsize, Digital Chisel, Cause Cast, Shin Advisors, Social Sage, Tar Art, Wounded Warrior Project, G Squared, Phebe's NYC, Veev, General Growth Properties, Abio Bicycles, Boot Camp Republic, B.I.K.E. the Movie, Untitled Entertainment, Mayor Bloomberg, the NY Department of Transportation and Transportation Alternatives.

Thank you to my friends. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, your talk about the environment reminded us why we gathered at the Seaport. Your talk about the work of the RiverKeepers and their success brought a necessary gravitas and urgency to the day's events. Josh Lukas, your songs and your voice are as delicate, uplifting and beautiful as the day we were blessed with. Thank you Ben Jelen and your entire band. Your music and spirit brought energy, excitement, and youthful joy to all of us that gathered.

Thank you to all who were instrumental in BFAD's success. This is the first year of Bicycle for a Day and we learned a lot about how to move forward to the actual goal of creating the global Bicycle for a Day event.

Sincerely,

Matthew

“The environmental situation is a great opportunity for us all to work together to find solutions. Bicycle for a Day is just that— citizens of the world joining together globally and acting locally.”
-Matthew Modine, Founder BFAD

Buy an Official BFAD Dog Tag to demonstrate your support and solidarity for our charitable partners: Waterkeepers Alliance & American Forests. Great news everyone! Puma is offering a 20% limited-time discount when you present your dog tags while making a purchase at their stores - get the details here.