Imagine a city where the public transport system was starved of cash, and regarded as next to useless by most citizens. Envisage the traffic jams, with people forced to get up earlier to avoid spending hours stuck in cars or being shoe-horned into overcrowded trains.

Picture the poor saps who try to cycle to work. The smart ones would be using the eBike. This battery-powered bicycle has a range of around 30km and its speed is restricted to 20 kmh.

It does not require a licence, insurance, tax or helmet. It features lights, indicators, a horn, an onboard computer and traction control system for wet weather use and a radio that plays through the mirrors.

The batteries are removable and take around six hours to charge fully, in any plug. And if they run out, you can just cycle.

The eBike, £960 (1,219), is available from Motorcare in Dublin, tel 01-2962322, e-mail ebikes@eircom.net

smaccarthaigh@irish-times.ie