Now, as far as laziness goes I'm an expert.

I know way that make the simplest of jobs look like hard work and ways of putting off the more difficult ones until later on in the day (and perhaps avoid them altogether).

So when I got the change to ditch my car for a day and use an "alternative" and environmentally friendly mode of transport I was a little unsure, apprehensive you might say.  But never one to shy away from giving something new a go I decided to see if I could get along for the whole day without a car.

The reason for this madness is that National Car Free Day happened to fall on this particular Saturday.  And my new means of getting around, well it is something I'd never seen before.

The Powabyke was my new steed and I was interested to learn more about it before I started going around on the public roads.

The Powabyke, loaned by Clive Mitchell Cycles, Truro is a pedal cycle - a pushbike, for want of a better word - with a battery-powered motor on the front wheel, giving you assistance when you need it most such as when you're going up-hill, or are in busy traffic.  The throttle is on the right grip and you just twist and go. Simple enough, even for me.

It has the benefits of a pushbike such as using no fuel other than your own calories and combines the advantages of a conventional powered motorcycle.

You don't need a licence, as it conforms to the 1981 Transport Act, in which an electric bike avoids being classed as a motorcycle if it weighs less than 40 kg, is fitted with pedals and cannot be propelled under power at more than 15 miles per hour.

Well, after picking up the bike I had to go home on it.

My route is almost exclusively up-hill so the Powabyke was in for a stiff test, which it passed with flying colours.

Even as I began to tire of pedaling the motor took the stress out of a fairly steep hill and propelled me to the top at a good speed.

As it was about mid-day, the traffic was jammed, but I managed to heat the congestion.  In fact with pedal assistance (on the flat) you can keep up with 30 miles an hour traffic easily.  Impressive stuff from a vehicle needing no licence.

After about 12 miles I started to really enjoy being outside in the fresh air and could really see the appeal of something like this.

The battery has a range of over 20 miles on a single charge and the machine has a 15 miles per hour top speed.

If you pedal as well, you can get a range of about 35 miles out of it which is superb.  If I commuted somewhere where the traffic was bad then I would definitely get one as it is so simple to drive and you avoid the tailbacks.