Remember the petrol crisis? Is it still a vivid memory? Can you recall getting frantic as your car fuel gauge teetered on the big red 'E', or how you fumed as you guarded your place in the petrol station queue?

Then consider this. How would you have felt riding a machine that can eke out more than 220 miles on one tank of juice and yet still be at home on the fast lane of the motorway?

Before you scoff, let me put this into perspective. The fuel tank of this little beauty holds 8.5 litres, or about 2.2 gallons. Oh, and don't forget the 15 road tax a year.

But there is more, much more. There is the pure delight of riding the biggest bike in the Peugeot moped range, the125cc Elyseo.

It is so stress-free. The simple twist-and-go principle has been taken to its logical conclusion and mated with a four-stroke 125cc engine a first-time venture by the French manufacturer. So, fewer brain cells are needed to work the machine and more can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the passing countryside.

Being a 125cc, the Elyseo's single-cylinder heart pumps out a healthy 9bhp, so taking a friend as pillion for an effortless long run is a realistic option.

Keeping up with the traffic is not a problem either, as the bike pulls healthily away from traffic lights and keeps on smoothly accelerating right up to legal maximum road speeds.

And you and your passenger will not be buffeted with the high-speed wind, as not only are your legs safely guarded behind the elegant headlamp and radiator fairing, but the standard smoked screen is tall enough to deflect the airflow over your chest as well.

ABS plastic provides the pleasing curves around a tubular chassis, and with telescopic forks at the front, twin gas-and-hydraulic shocks at the back and chunky 12-inch tyres, the machine feels quite stable. This is despite it weighing just 130kg. Braking, even with the added weight of a passenger, is reassuringly good thanks to a 226mm single disc at the front, which is gripped by a two-pot caliper, and a 130mm drum at the back. I was amazed to see that Peugeot fits steel-braided brake hose as standard. Steel, as opposed to plastic hose, has less 'give' under strain, and so improves the 'feel' of brakes no end. You usually only see this on big sports bikes!

Prop the bike on either its easy-to-use side-stand or the more secure centre-stand, step back a few paces and admire the Elyseo.

If you have a keen eye, you may spot a rather strange shape just above and to the right of the numberplate. Use your ignition key the one with the built-in engine immobiliser chip and out pops a huge Boa cable lock. Well that's security taken care of, without using up the valuable storage space.

Besides a lockable glove compartment just under the cow-horn-shaped handlebars, there is a huge well below the seat. You can easily get your shopping in there, and there is a special hook by your knees, just in case you get a little carried away and need to carry another supermarket bag. To give you some idea of the size of the storage compartment, two helmets easily fit. Under the seat the fuel cap can also be found, but although there is a second cap labelled 'oil' don't forget this is a four-stroke machine. This is purely a funnel to help you add engine oil.

Although the 2,474 Elyseo is available in red, blue, grey and green, I personally think that everyone should opt for Sherwood Green it just tends to sum up the 100mpg bike.