The Martin Jetpack is the world’s first commercially available vertical take-off and landing personal flying machine, and while it may have a retail price and fuel economy comparable with a second-hand Lamborghini, if its combustion engine is powered by ethanol produced in an environmentally-friendly way it is likely to be touted as an efficient alternative to the car for journeys of up to 30 miles.
From an environmental perspective the potential advantages of this personal flying machine over a city car include reduced congestion, road danger, and parking space requirement.
However, the jet-pack creates pollution of a different kind; it is loud and city dwellers are likely to be unimpressed by the prospect of aerial roads.
| Future commute or flight of fancy? | . |
|---|---|
| A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “In practice, the £60,000 machine is most likely to be used in a search and rescue and reconnaissance role, and those of us who want an environmentally-friendly way of flying past cars on the way into town will continue to cycle.” The Martin jetpack last week underwent the first test of its ballistic emergency parachute, which can be deployed in the event of engine failure. |
The greenest commute?
A week ahead of Green Transport Week 2011 comes news of a London commuter who uses an inflatable kayak to get to and from work.
| Greenest commute? | |
|---|---|
| If you are lucky enough to have a river or canal running close to both your home and place of work, then you have the unusual – if slow – option of commuting by kayak. James Sweetman is marketing manager of http://stickyboard.co.uk. It takes him over an hour to kayak from Paddington to Kings Cross |
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