In the past few months parking charges in Brighton and Hove have rocketed and the cost of a bus ticket has increased for the second time in less than a year.

Earlier this month Dani Ahrens championed a car-free lifestyle (The Argus, May 8), disputing the myth that living without a car is simply not feasible.

But while there has been much discussion about cycling and public transport, another greener and cheaper transport option appears to have been overlooked.

As a means of getting around the city quickly, cheaply and with minimal environmental impact, I would argue that scooters offer a great solution.

Appeal They can travel quicker than bicycles, certainly up Brighton and Hove’s many hills, go direct to your destination, unlike buses, and compared with cars they produce much lower emissions.

I took up scootering a year ago. I had changed jobs and, instead of my previous ten-minute walk to work, I was faced with a 45-minute bus ride to Hollingbury and back each day.

The prospect of spending seven and a half hours a week on the bus did not appeal, neither did the thought of cycling four and a half miles up some fearsome hills and arriving at work in a sweaty mess each morning.

My wages wouldn’t stretch far enough to cover the costs of keeping a car but I still wanted to maintain some independence.

When a friend suggested using a scooter, the idea had barely crossed my mind. But looking into the costs involved and how easy it was to get started, I was sold.

For a start, vehicle tax for your average scooter under 150cc is a mere £16 a year. To fill up my 125cc Piaggio Vespa with petrol costs no more than £8, and a tank of petrol will usually last a fortnight – taking in a daily commute and evening and weekend trips into town.

Insurance is considerably cheaper too. Fully comprehensive cover for my boyfriend and I costs £200 a year. Taking into account an MOT and general maintenance costs, annual running costs come to about £500. Sure, it’s not as cheap as cycling or walking, but it’s a whole lot more affordable than running a car.

Finding affordable (and available) parking in Brighton and Hove is one of the biggest problems in our city, yet swap your car for a motorcycle and you need never worry again: parking for scooters and motorcycles across the city is free.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s website lists more than 300 roads in the city centre parking zones where there are motorcycle bays – some of which will have more than one. I have never been unable to find a space within a short walk of my destination.

And it seems I’m not the only one to have opted for a two-wheeled alternative. Last year the Motorcycle Industry Association reported that new scooter registrations with the DVLA were up 12% on the previous year, with the number of larger-engined 125cc scooters up by 20%.

In a time of recession, with swingeing public sector cuts and pay freezes seemingly across the board, everyone is looking to make savings where they can. Swapping a car for a scooter for the daily commute is one way of dramatically reducing outgoings.

Congestion As well as saving money, you will also be helping the environment. Scooters burn less fuel per mile than cars and consequently emit much lower levels of greenhouse gases. Research has shown that if even a small number of people gave up their cars and rode scooters or motorcycles instead, they would help reduce congestion by easing traffic flow and lower the amount of harmful emissions in the atmosphere.

The Green council are committed to encouraging their use as an alternative to the car.

Councillor Ian Davey, chairman of the council’s transport committee, said: “Increased use of powered two-wheelers may result in a reduction in car journeys and potentially help address some of the congestion and air pollution problems that the city faces.”

And the benefits don’t stop there. Scooters and motorcycles are small enough to be able to filter through traffic and skip to the front of long queues, speeding up the journey, avoiding hold-ups and generally reducing the stress of getting from A to B.

Of course, scootering does have its downsides. For a start, riding in the winter is not the most pleasant of experiences.

Despite numerous layers of clothing and thick gloves it can get very cold. And wet.

Scooter and motorbike riders are also among the most vulnerable road users, as they can be difficult to see and tricky to judge their speed. Riding can, like anything, be dangerous, but generally only if you don’t have your wits about you or if you aren’t adequately protected.

It’s also not an ideal solution for a large family. If you have a full motorbike licence you can carry one pillion passenger, which suits me fine, but is not practical for a family of four. However, two-car families still have the option of trading in one of their vehicles.

In spite of the negatives, I believe there is a lot to be gained from encouraging more people on to two wheels.

If just a few drivers got out of their cars and on to a scooter or motorbike, perhaps getting around our busy city would be a cheaper, greener and happier experience for everyone.