I tell people I bike-commute, and they immediately assume I’m a health & nutrition fanatic. Let me assure you, that is not so. I eat the wrong things — a lot of them. And when I’m not riding, I like to nap and watch TV.

But there is so much to love about ditching the car and getting on two wheels. Here is a list of my favorites.

21. I save big on gas.

I’m getting the obvious ones out of the way first, the ones people immediately bring up when I tell them I commute by bike.

I used to drive a Mustang, which weighed roughly 20 times more than me. That means only 5 cents of every dollar went toward getting me around — the other 95 cents went toward getting my car around.

So yes, it’s nice to save money on gas, but the real delight is knowing I’m no longer wasting so much money on gas.

20. I get a good cardio workout.

Again, an obvious one. I’m glad I get incrementally healthier everywhere I go, and it’s well known regular cardio exercise improves and even restores your heart health.

But I’m motivated by instant gratification; if I didn’t bike I’m sure I wouldn’t hit the gym regularly. So I’m glad I get the benefits, but this is low on my list.

19. It’s good for the environment.

This one goes without saying. Carbon-wise, I’ve reduced my footprint to that of a ninja’s.

18. I’m taking one car off congested L.A. streets

You’re welcome.

17. Freedom from car dependence

Decades ago, in the days of Thomas Guides, I visited L.A., and had to spend some hours on the westside, on foot. I quickly realized what’s been common knowledge forever: you need a car to get anywhere further than the corner.

Now that I’ve shed that dependency, I remember what it was like being outdoors: pondering the vastness of this city, and feeling helpless until I got in my car.

Now, I feel empowered: the city is mine. Plus I know I can fall back on ridesharing apps, e-scooters, and whatever other goodies the future has in store.

16. Preferential treatment

I make a habit of making eye contact with drivers before going through an intersection. And most of the time, they’re waving me onward, even when they’ve clearly got the right of way. Unless they’re in a BMW (yes, it had to be said. Go ahead, prove me wrong).

15. My vehicle comes with me.

Did you ever have that dream where you’re in your car, but you’re going up stairs and through hallways, inside a building? That’s because deep down you feel that’s the right balance: the thing that takes you there is about that size.

Now your car weighs 2,000% – 5,000% of what you do, and requires a lot of fuss when you’re ready to leave it. Mine weighs 15%, and I can carry it with me. Up stairs, on the Metro, around that barricade, down that trail, often inside the building.

14. Being unpresentable

People forgive you for being unkempt and sweaty when you’re wearing a bike helmet. So I get a pass if I don’t feel like primping before I go shopping, even when the store is just a half-mile away.

13. Passing the weekend hobbyists

I’m not a young man, by any metric. But since I’ve been bike commuting for a number of years, I’ve got the glutes and thighs of a much younger man. Don’t get me wrong, the rest of me looks like your dad. And there’s not much those younger, fitter men can’t best me at.

Now cycling isn’t a race. But if I’m being thorough, I have to admit some satisfaction when I encounter those young hobbyists in their spandex, logo jerseys and carbon-fiber racing bikes out for a weekend ride — then politely pacing them for a while, and finally leaving them choking on my dust. As I say, it’s not a race, right?

12. I can go places cars cannot

“Road closed.” Is there a more frustrating street sign?

Often they’re trimming trees, or accessing a manhole, or fixing a water main break. The road is closed for the safety of the workers, not the drivers. Nobody minds when I cautiously creep through, especially since I’m already wearing a hardhat.

Plus, the map is full of places where the roads don’t quite meet, except for a little footpath, barricade or car gate. Those are green lights for me.

11. Sunshine & fresh air

There’s a reason car moonroofs cost a bit more, sunroofs quite a bit more, and convertibles quite a lot more. Because it feels great to feel the wind and sun on your face while you’re traveling. Don’t forget, the weather’s nice in L.A., 350 days out of the year.

10. I can look at things

When something interesting happens — skywriting, a beautiful moonrise, a bird does something cool — I can take it in. And even stop to take pictures if I like.

9. Cheap maintenance and repairs

My bike — my primary means of transportation — needed a new drive train last year. Parts, labor, plus a new chain cost a total of $60. The equivalent repair on a car would be what, a hundred times that?

Incidentally, a bicycle is arguably the most efficient machine there is. There are no micro-explosions constantly working to destroy its machinery. So not only are repairs cheaper, they’re much less frequent.

8. I have more energy during the day

This is scientific fact, and I can confirm it from experience. Here’s the first of many Google search results on the subject.

7. A glimpse of what it’s like to be a superhero

Think about it: under my own power, I can go faster than any human being can run.

Have I used my superpowers for good? Yes. Several times I’ve saved runaway dogs by outrunning them and scaring them off the street.

Then there was the night I came upon a car that had just overturned, and a bystander was at that moment calling 911. I was already wearing a reflectorized windbreaker, and had flashing lights all over my body and bike, so I was able to direct traffic away from the site while help arrived. Excelsior!

6. Mental health

There are a lot of things — endorphins, alertness, fresh air and more — that contribute to a healthier mental state. But here’s one you probably haven’t thought about: running late.

In a car, you could go faster simply by pressing your foot down a little more. But you can’t because of all those idiots in your way, and it makes your blood boil.

On a bike, I can reach my body’s physical limits trying to get there faster. That tricks my brain into feeling I’ve done everything I can, so I don’t feel desperately rushed when I arrive.

5. I actually enjoy my commute

You’ve probably read tips on “making the most of your commute,” which automatically assumes your commute is drudgery. Because it is.

I can honestly say I look forward to my commute. It’s like a little 25-minute vacation, twice a day.

4. People smile at me

Think about your car commute: every face you see is one of anxiety, anguish, frustration or fear. That’s your experience of human beings, every day.

My daily experience of human beings is: we smile at each other. And wave, using more than one finger. And we say nice things to each other.

3. Parking

Finding a spot, navigating garages, waiting in line, paying fees … are these anyone’s favorite things? For me they’re a thing of the past, and I don’t miss them. Plus, I can usually park my vehicle near the door — or even take it inside with me.

2. Traffic

No longer do I have to stare helplessly at the line of cars from here to the horizon. Or wait for the snoozer in the left turn lane who missed the light. The bike lane is always clear.

When there’s no bike lane, and I find myself in a line of cars blocked by a garbage truck, or construction, or just the sheer number of commuters, I can go into “pedestrian mode” and hop up on the sidewalk (where it’s legal). I can’t think of anything that gives me more glee.

And the number one reason…

It’s fun! You learned this when you were a kid. Riding feels like flying, and within a certain radius, there’s nowhere you cannot go.

Honestly, if riding were a chore, reasons #21 through 2 wouldn’t matter for me.

A few honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the list:

• I have more space in the garage
• My bike helmet hides my bald spot
• One time a lady said bikes are sexy

What’s your experience? Tell me all about it in the comments section.