While Donald Trump may be touting the make America great again rhetoric now, decades ago it wasn’t Trump making America great again, it was the automobile.

There’s this perceived freedom we have in owning a car. The ability to go anywhere at any time, the ability to escape. Every car commercial highlights this freedom, in fact not much do it better than this commercial comparing landing on the moon to driving an Audi.

The excitement you get driving, however, changes the moment an airbag deploys. It knocks the freedom right out of you and takes you back to the reality that you’re operating a deadly weapon, capable of killing dozens in one go. May I remind you of the recent tragedy in Nice, France where it wasn’t a gun or a bomb, but a large vehicle that killed over 80 innocent people. Not to mention the average American spends 38 hours a year stuck in traffic and that number almost doubles in cities like D.C.

I used to love driving, not the traffic part obviously, but when living in California it was always the most convenient way to get around. Then for the second time in my life an airbag deployed and this time in a crash that launched me and three others across I-5. The car rolled across three lanes of traffic and into the guard rail. We got out of the completely destroyed BMW cut up with minor injuries all thankful to be alive. From then on — driving — owning a car wasn’t as fun anymore. I wish I didn’t need one, but two jobs, full-time student I couldn’t afford a commute that long on transit, at least, that’s what I told myself.

Moving to New York I ditched the car and it was by far the most liberating thing I’ve ever done. I never had to find parking, I never had to stay sober to drive home, I didn’t have to worry about tolls, insurance, registration, smog or vehicle repairs. I could go anywhere it seemed like in NYC for only $2.50, and all I had to worry about was how much I could carry in my hands. If something wasn’t transit accessible I biked, to far off places a train or a plane could get me pretty much anywhere I wanted to go, and it was often more scenic, more fun and faster than driving. Now, I rent a car occasionally for trips outside the city not accessible by train or plane, but owning a car is a responsibility, a liability and a weapon I don’t want or need to have.

Transit isn’t the fastest here in SF, when you’re bus dependent your subject to traffic just like anyone driving. The big advantage of a bus, however, is that you can safely catch Pokémon or read or do basically anything cause it’s San Francisco. But for those like me who are constantly interested in the fastest and most reliable alternative to the car the most efficient way to get around San Francisco is by bike.

San Francisco biking is the key to unlocking and actually realizing all the perceived freedom car commercials tout. The city is at your finger tips on a bike. You can move swiftly, efficiently and stay healthy all at the same time. After a year of injuries took a toll on my body, biking got me quite literally back on my feet again. The bike I bought almost exactly a year ago for about $650 was the best purchase I think I’ve ever made.

Commuting by bike everyday would be more liberating than ditching the responsibility of owning a car, but sadly it’s somewhat terrifying at times, because while we’ve made cars that can withstand devastating crashes we haven’t done the same with humans. Our streets and the people using them are always at the mercy of those driving on them, with very few exceptions. Why don’t we protect people like we do cars? Because, quite simply, it’s against the American way. America was designed around the vehicle.

There are some cities redesigning their streets, but it’s going to require a culture change to address what is nothing less than a public health crisis. Auto-related crashes are the fourth leading cause of death behind heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease.

Want to contribute to the change get out there ride a bike walk to get your groceries and demand more of your local politicians and public agencies. Also remind your friends every once and awhile that with great vehicular power comes great responsibility, not to mention you can catch more Pokémon on transit, walking or biking.

Why do I ride, short answer, because biking not driving could actually make America great again. Also, I like getting to work in less than 30 minutes, and hate parking.

Note: I recognize I’m lucky to live in SF and riding a bike to work is a privilege not to be taken lightly. Those that can should try it sometime.