IT takes me right back. We all probably had a toy version when we were kids, writes Simon Nix.

They were great fun in those days. Now, the same stand-up and scoot-along thrill has been enhanced with the addition of a motor.

Although the miniscooters were always designed, built and marketed just for 'recreational use', they could also be the answer to all sorts of city commuters' prayers. The only problem is a legal one.

Imagine folding down a miniscooter and popping it into the boot of your car.

All of a sudden, the painful search for a city centre parking space is unnecessary.

You can park your family car in a leafy, empty side-street, get your miniscooter out, whizz the last few miles through the usual rush-hour gridlock and then fold it up and store it under your desk.

Most people's jaws would drop open if they witnessed such a scene. And that reaction would apply to policemen too!

You see, every vehicle on the road has to fit into a legal pigeon-hole. The trouble with the miniscooter is that its classification is sometimes a matter of confusion to the layman.

All dealers will emphasise that miniscooters are for "recreational use" only. Use it on the road and you will have to make a few additions to it!

Insp Kevin Fitzpatrick, of Thames Valley Police traffic division, said: "Until the classification of this type of vehicle is tested in court, I would personally consider it to be a moped.

"It is difficult to put it into a category, but if it is used on the public roads as a means of transport, in my view, it is a type of motorcycle.

"And to ride a moped you would have to be at least 16, with a provisional licence and, possibly, having passed a CBT1 test. The machine would also have to be registered, taxed and insured.

"Back in the mid-80s there was an electric motor-assisted bicycle, intended for disabled riders. The tiny engine just added extra power to help the pedaller up hills. Even that had to be classed as a moped - only a special Act of Parliament eventually gave it a classification of its own.

"Until the law makes another, similar, provision, I am sure that miniscooters must be viewed as a moped.

"If one of my officers saw one being ridden on the road - or pavement - I would think they would stop the rider and expect to see all the documents associated with any normal motor vehicle.

"I would certainly prefer to prosecute than defend, if such a case came before the courts."

Bearing all this in mind, BGM - based in Bridge Street, Banbury, just two minutes away from the train station - let me test out a special, road-legal miniscooter.

They sell fun bikes made by Tami and imported by Abbey Leisure, of Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. Prices for their range of scooters start from about £450 and go right up to a super-powered skateboard, which costs just over £650.

Of course, if you want to ride them on the road you have to make sure you choose a model that comes with a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) with both front and rear brakes. Then you have to register it with the taxman, add a registration plate, lights, reflector, mirror, horn, as well as taxing and insuring it. That then gets you a daylight-only MoT.

Alternatively, you can wait until early in the New Year, when the Tami factory hopes to be able to offer a "kit" to convert your traffic jams-buster for the public roads.

Jim McClean, spokesman for the importers, said: "Tami has told us that they are in the process of putting together a "for the public roads" package, but we are already doing very well just selling the scooters as a big boys' toy. They are ideal for popping into the boot of any car and taking them out to a private piece of land for the 'kids' to play."

And on that note, I was surprised at the zippy performance of the Tami-Venom Sports miniscooter - the model I tried.

The 33cc two-stroke easily burst into life with a quick tug on the starting toggle. A twist of the throttle and the centrifugal clutch bites, linking you up to the 1.7 horsepower.

It quickly had me up to the top speed of about 45kmh. Impressively, the scooter can cope with gradients of up to 15 per cent.

The Venom Sports model also comes complete with a seat, but I found standing much more fun.

Another great option with this £600 model is that you can convert it into a ski-sled.

Just take off the front wheel and replace it with a purpose-built ski and swap the rear wheel for a spiked tyre.

Now, that sounds really great!

And then there is the practical bit. The seat comes off and the handlebar folds down and clamps on to the top of the engine to form a perfect carrying handle.

Amazingly it all weighs in at 17kg - about the weight of a bag of shopping!

Story date: Wednesday 08 December

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.