Despite a wet and cold January, people are so fed up with the country's creaking public transport that they are turning to alternative means.

"Motorcycles and mopeds are proving to be the winner," said Kevin Kelly, the Retail Motor Industry Federation's director of motorcycle retailers.

In January 2001, moped registrations were up more than 51 per cent on last year, and motorcycle registrations rose by more than 36 per cent.

Mr Kelly added: "Motorcycle dealers continue to offer exceptional deals on new and used motorcycles. And because anyone with a full car licence can ride a moped, more people are turning to this inexpensive, environmentally friendly form of transport to avoid over-crowded and delayed trains or endless queues of cars."

A moped is a powered two-wheeler with an engine size of

not more than 50cc and a limited top speed of 31mph.

Scooters are a design of moped or motorcycle and can have an engine of any size.