When I was 15, all I wanted was a license and a set of car keys—those two things meant freedom to go wherever I wanted.

Later on, I realized that real freedom, for me, comes from two wheels.

Why? 5 reasons:

#5: Freedom from car expenses

When I drove everywhere, it was pretty much a given that I had to set aside something like $50 a week for gas. I really never thought about how that weekly gas money added up, not to mention maintenance, registration and parking. Now that I bike most places, I have thousands of dollars to use for other things.

#4: Freedom from wasting time

I do not miss driving ten minutes to get downtown just to circle the block for 20 minutes looking for a parking space. On a bike, I roll up to my destination and lock up. That’s it.

And I definitely don’t miss sitting in traffic. It’s a great feeling to be cruising along the path on the south side of 1^st Avenue, flying by all the cars stopped at the light at University.

#3: Freedom from exercising indoors

Who loves going to the gym? That’s right, pretty much no one. I’ve had a membership off and on in the past, but it’s not my favorite way to get exercise. I’d much rather get moving on the way to and from work. When people take up bicycle commuting, they lose 13 pounds within the first year, on average.

#2: Freedom from my own head

Biking helps shut down that little voice in your head that seems to only want to talk about the negative stuff in your life. Whether it’s the scenery, the wind on your face or just being active, it’s easier to let things go and get on with life when you ride a bike.

#1: Freedom to explore

You can go pretty much wherever you want on a bike. If you want to stop and hang out, you stop and hang out. If you want to hang a left and get lost, you get lost. You’ve got the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want.

Recently, some friends and I even decided to bike to our friends’ wedding 100 miles away in the mountains. Because, why not? From a bike, you can experience the (purple) mountain (majesties) in a way that you never could from a car.

So happy Fourth of July!

On the day we celebrate our freedom, I hope you’ll celebrate on two wheels—and share this post with a friend who hasn’t discovered bicycling yet.