The reinvented Lambretta is a scooter I'd happily ride

AS A rule of thumb I don't really do bikes, but every so often I'll make an exception.

Especially if the bike - sorry, scooter - in question happens to be a bit of an Italian icon that seems to have slipped under the petrolhead radar until now. Maybe that's because this is Life On Cars and I'm not exactly known for leafing through Scootering while loitering in WH Smith, but even so this relaunched Lambretta looks very alluring!

I've always been a bit of a Mod at heart, even going so far as to own a Vespa in my student days, but Lambrettas have always had a bit of an elusive quality because they're rare, treasured by their owners and therefore almost always an expensive thing to purchase. In fact, with the original scooters going out of production in the early 1970s your only chance to own a new Lambretta lately has been by popping down to your nearest trendy clothes shop.

But now someone's finally cottoned on that Lambretta is a cool brand, which is why the reinvented versions apparently proven such a hit sinch its UK relaunch earlier this year. What they've produced is what surely must be to motorbikes what the MINI and Fiat 500 are to cars; timeless and achingly trendy styling matched to modern day mechanicals. Throw in 50cc and 125cc engines almost tailor-made to fit the UK's learner riders and you've got a very cool and surprisingly green way of getting to work.

It's almost enough to enough to tempt me back onto two wheels. Shame my garage is full...

For more information about the relaunched Lambretta scooter go to the company's website www.lambrettamotorcycles.com

Swapping four wheels for two

YOU'VE probably spotted something strange about the car featured above; it isn't actually a car at all!

With petrol prices steadily heading towards £1.20 a litre in some parts of Sefton and West Lancashire it's no surprise that scooters are enjoying a bit of a revival right now, and you don't have to be a fan of Quadrophenia for tiny two-wheelers to enjoy the benefits at the pumps.

Yamaha are the latest company to compete for the attention of car drivers fed up with traffic congestion and fuel prices with this, the BWs 125, which goes on sale at the end of the month.

“New for 2010, the BWs 125 is agile and responsive, powered by a 125cc, 4-stroke, fuel injected air-cooled engine, giving the rider the power and punch necessary to negotiate the trickiest of traffic and in these days of crazy fuel prices, the Electronic Fuel Injection reduces emissions and also makes the engine incredibly efficient, so its easier on your pocket, too,” a Yamaha spokesperson told Life On Cars.

“Great levels of balance, grip and rider comfort mean the machine can easily handle any commute with ease, and make it fun too. As a major plus, the off-road grade, dual rear shock absorbers smoothes any potholes the rural or city roads serve up.”

If you're new to scootering and passed your driving test after 1997 you'll need to take the Compulsory Basis Training (CBT) before you'll be allowed to take this 125cc commuter scooter out onto the roads, but as someone who's done it and enjoyed scootering I can reveal it's not only a huge help in the safety stakes, but a lot of fun too.

The Yamaha BW's 125 costs £2,499 and although you do have to pay for it to be registered and taxed, chances are you'll get it back when you stop to fill up.