Hop aboard the 400mpg strike-buster

Alan Wightman's latest toy sounds like a lawnmower, looks like a child's scooter and could be the answer to beating the signalmen's strike.

An energy consultant in Docklands, he believes he is the only man in London to use a new gimmick from California - the transcooter - to get around.

The motorised scooter is the latest in a long line of quirky ideas for low-energy transport. Most British ones have come from Sir Clive Sinclair, who dreamed up the C5, an electric car and is working on the Zeta, a motor to strap on to bicycles.

'I saw the scooter in St Tropez and thought it was a bit of fun,' said Mr Wightman.

A friend brought him one from the US a fortnight ago. Within two days, he had lost his nerves and wobbles and was confidently battling through traffic from his Wandsworth home on strike days - even taking on Rotherhithe tunnel.

'Everyone was stopping me and saying hello. It's a great way to make friends - In a pin-stripe business suit and dashing tie, he cuts a somewhat eccentric 15 stone of him.

Heads turn at the sound of an electric lawnmower approaching and people look baffled as he passes. Onlookers have even been known to burst into uncontrollable fits of giggles.

The transcooter, known as a Goped, has a 1.2hp, 22.5cc engine strapped over the back wheel. After scooting along

by foot to start the engine, release the throttle and you can hardly be seen for dust,

although with no suspension it is a bumpy ride.

Top speed is 20mph and it happily tackles steep hills. The engine sounds and works like a strimmer motor, using two-stroke - petrol mixed with oil - and can do 400mpg.

Mr Wightman, known for his green views, is a total convert to the transcooter: 'It is a brilliant idea for commuters who may have a short journey to the station in the morning, then a 10-minute walk to the office at the other end.

The scooter handle folds down and the whole thing fits into a large sports holdall which can be taken on the Tube. The only problem is nowhere to put your briefcase.

A 12-year-old can legally ride it on the road because it has no pedals. Mr Wightman would be happy for his daughter to use it to go three miles to college every morning, but the thought of her returning from a disco or pub meets with a raised eyebrow.

The Transcooter is in the Harrods sale at pounds 599 - although its list price is nearer pounds 1,000.

Most of the 20 vehicles sold there in the past year have gone to overseas visitors. Footballer Paul Gascoigne has even taken one back to his villa in Italy.

Although the scooter is not manufactured in Britain, Gordon Spice, four times world class champion in endurance sports car racing, is considering marketing it here.

As for how you look on the thing, Mr Wightman is past

caring: 'I may be getting on, but there is still life in the old dog', brushing aside suggestions that he might feel just a bit ridiculous.

'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.'

(Photograph omitted)