Commuter Challenge

However, James's efforts aren't be simply along the lines of 'bus, bike and car' - oh no... James is trying some more unusual methods of getting from A to B.

His list includes: cycling, walking, electric car, heelies (trainers with wheels), segway (a kind of electric scooter) and powerisers (stilts with springs)!

You can follow James's progress each weekday on BBC Radio Derby - listen to Andy Whittaker's Breakfast Show for regular updates (use the link on the right) and see more on BBC East Midlands Today each evening from 6.30 pm.

Day 7 – Motorbike

Journey time – 13 minutes approx – extra time needed to change in and out of kit!

Journey Cost - £1.50 to £2.50 for return trip (including parking (based on 4,000 miles a year, includes depreciation, insurance, tax, maintenance etc).

This was to be my first time on a motorbike, so I was a little concerned from the start!

The Motorbike to be used today was a Ducati 750 (belonging to my boss, Neville), so perhaps not as environmentally friendly as a smaller-engined scooter, but nevertheless, benefits from the ability to filter through traffic, takes up less space on the road and in the car park, and is more economical than most cars.

The traffic was queuing way past my house, whilst I was waiting to set off, although by the time we departed, the queue disappeared, which spoiled the chance of getting past all the queuing cars! I felt very vulnerable on the back of the bike, and was holding on very tightly to the handles.

My head jolted forwards with braking and gear changes and on a couple of occasions, the crash helmet tapped the riders, it wasn't the most comfortable way to get to work. I was also told by Neville to lean into the bends, which was a bit of a strange feeling for a non-biker!

Besides this, the journey was fairly uneventful – functional and effective. It was a little uncomfortable when travelling over speed ramps, and I kept wanting to put my feet down when we came to a junction, although Neville was able to steady the bike himself.

We pulled up at the devoted motorcycle shelters, (which were very nearly full!), locked the bike, and headed over to the office. Any hairstyle I had before I set out was completely flattened by the helmet!

The motorbike seems like a good way to get to work (if you are a rider), but I don't think I'd like to go pillion again! The fuel costs are less than a car, parking is free, and traffic is a lot less of a concern, making journey times more predictable.

Bad weather, frost and slippery conditions, would be the main disadvantage of this mode.