Alternative forms of motorised transport are the way of the future, says the Bermuda National Trust.

And the Trust is urging Government to examine its car tax policy to further encourage smaller vehicles.

The National Trust opposed the recent move to even larger vehicles which add to congestion and pollution problems ? however statistics show the public likes big limos.

More than 5,000 people have class G cars which, until the recent increase in allowable car sizes, was the largest car available.

It compares to fewer than 2,000 opting for the smallest A car class.

National Trust Environmental Committee chairman Bill Holmes said it was time Government reconsidered its car tax policy, which already has higher rates for bigger vehicles.

He said: ?If you don?t want to be draconian, you have to make a two-seater car the best alternative.

?It?s Government?s responsibility to fashion that. The right choice have to be made to be the best financial choices.?

The SmartCar, the tiny two-seater driven by Suzie Pewter which was featured earlier in this series, has sparked interest.

National Trust executive director Steve Conway said: ?It would be nice to have smaller cars. They can only help.

?We know electric cars proved to be too expensive for Bermuda.

?It would be great if Bermuda was a test bed for one of the big manufacturers like Chrysler or someone to do an electric car example of what could be done so maybe it would work in a small town in the US.?

Island Motors and Mobility boss John Powell said more SmartCars were on order and likely to arrive in the new year including a slightly larger four person vehicle.

Mr. Powell has tried to import Scootcars, which are three-wheel vehicles with a moped style 50cc engine which drive like a car.

They would be ideal for tourists but also great for single moms moving one child, Mr. Powell said.

?How many times do you see a child on the back of a bike who?s hanging on for dear life? It?s another death waiting to happen if the child falls off.?

He said the Scootcars offered a stable ride with both passengers strapped in with seatbelts but the Transport Control Department has blocked their use in Bermuda on safety grounds.

The vehicles have three wheels with two extra wheels as stabilisers and Mr. Powell said they were used around the world, including Britain, Australia and Florida.

?They are so safe, they don?t tip over.?

Mr. Powell has also imported a one-seater car for disabled drivers who can drive their wheelchair in from the back and then drive off.

The Vexel vehicles retail for $28,000 while he also has a $55,000 Chrysler four-door PT Cruiser which can be driven by a disabled person who again, does not have to leave their wheelchair while driving.

New radical modes of transport could help cut Bermuda?s congestion and accidents says Road Safety Council chairman Joseph Froncioni.

He has called for a conference on alternative forms of transport and says two-wheeler device the SEGWAY Human Transporter could make an ideal link for pedestrians linking up to ferries.

Dr. Froncioni has been riding the SEGWAY for just over two months as part of a trial requested by Government and has given it the thumbs up.

He said the SEGWAY was an environmentally friendly alternative mode of transport which could help alleviate the gridlock problem in Bermuda.

The SEGWAY Human Transporter is a self-balancing, two non-tandem wheeled device designed to transport one person and takes up a shoulder-width?s space, making it possible to use on sidewalks.

With maximum speeds of 12 mph it?s rechargable electric motor is environmentally friendly ? using the fuel equivalent of an petrol engine getting 450 miles to the gallon.

Dr. Froncioni said: ?The SEGWAY is neither safer nor more dangerous than cycling, running or walking on our roads.

?The SEGWAY is not meant to replace motorbikes. The SEGWAY is a single person transporter designed for short and medium distances.

?It is therefore an ideal substitute for the individual who would otherwise use a car for short and medium distances.

?The SEGWAY could easily couple with the ferry system whereby an individual living within a two or three mile radius of a ferry terminal might be inclined to SEGWAY onto the ferry to Hamilton, SEGWAY to his place of work and park the transporter within his place of work thereby alleviating both the traffic and parking situation.?

He said Bermuda needed to start adopting more environmentally friendly modes of transport and the SEGWAY was a prime example of 21st century technology at work.

?I have been using the SEGWAY to get to my office, a return trip of just over two miles. Apart from the inconvenience caused by inclement weather (same on a motorbike), the commute is pleasant and airy.

?Not for those who are constantly in a rush, rather the SEGWAY is for those who are in a mindset to enjoy the ?slow lane? and who espouse environmental friendliness.?

Dr. Froncioni said he was convinced that the SEGWAY has a role, albeit limited, in alleviating Bermuda?s gridlock problems and its environmental correctness was a welcome bonus.