The South Street Seaport on the Lower East Side of Manhattan was even more bustling than usual last Saturday, when Matthew Modine's nonprofit took it over for the First Annual Bicycle for a Day event. Folks from throughout the Tri-state area showed up, via bike, skateboard, rollerblade or foot (any non-CO2 generating mode of transportation was welcome) to the kickoff event. Modine explained the mission behind the event and his group:

Bicycle for a Day was founded in an effort to raise awareness of the ease and health benefits of carbon-emission-free transportation alternatives such as walking and biking, but also on a much broader level, to inspire and inform the public of the simple practices they can implement in their every day lives that would collectively have a huge impact in our fight against global warming

Attendees enjoyed checking out the information from groups like American Forests, The Waterkeeper Alliance, and of course, Greenopia. Following several hours of music by Lukas Haas, Ben Jelen and Stumblehump, Robert F. Kennedy closed the event with an impassioned speech about the amazing recovery of the Hudson River (which shone in the bright sun right behind him) which was once one of the most polluted rivers in America.

Greenopians Elizabeth Harrington (L) and Starre Vartan (R) with Bicycle for a Day founder, Matthew Modine.

Three of the many cyclists who rode down to the South Street Seaport.

Lukas Haas performed songs on the Bicycle for a Day stage, and got to and from the gig on his bike.

Stumblehump performs while a Bicycle for a Day volunteer pedals one of the foldable Puma bikes in front of them.

Musicians Lukas Haas and Ben Jelen, New York Knick John Starks and Matthew kenneModine get together to show their support for Modine's organization.

Elizabeth Harrington (L) with Alex McCord and family from The Real Housewives of New York City.

A pile of bikes that were ridden to the event by the Time's Up! activists (below) make a statement without saying a word.

The Bike Clown Brigade from activist group Time's Up! uses direct actions to spread the message that bikes deserve fair treatment on city streets.

Robert F. Kennedy closed the Bicycle for a Day with a short history of the cleanup of the Hudson River, which is now one of the healthiest and most productive rivers on the Atlantic Seaboard. All images by Starre Vartan.