A motorbike that can travel at speeds of up to 500 mph (800 kph) has been unveiled at the international bike show in Birmingham. It is one of the main attractions of the event which will be opened to bike enthusiasts from tomorrow.

The bike, which is eight metres long (26 feet) with an aluminium and titanium shell, is going to be the world's fastest motorbike. It is powered by three rocket motors similar to those used by guided missiles.

It is expected to go from 0 - 500 mph in 10 seconds when it hits the road next spring at Pendine Sands in South Wales. Stopping may take the rider a bit longer.

"It doesn't have brakes," says Grant Leonard, Editor of Superbike magazine. "But it does have two parachutes that will come out of the back when he shuts the rocket motors down. He hopes that these and the rolling resistance of the machine on the sand - it weighs half a tonne - will bring him to a halt before he reaches the sea."

Contest entry: gallant failures qualify for the Titanic Award.

But some bikers do not mind getting wet. The Northampton Doctor Jekyll and the Risk of Death Club entry for the amphibious motorbike contest is a scramble bike fitted with sail boards and an outboard motor. The rules say it must enter and leave the water on two wheels.

Scooters selling well A growing number of car drivers are switching to "commuter scooters." Sales of small scooters shot up by 70% last August.

"Scooters are easy and inexpensive to run and insure and highly manoeuvrable on today's congested roads," says Bruno Taglieferi, a member of the Motorcycle Industry Association.

Manufacturers believe the Government's new integrated transport policy will mean a huge increase in sales, but safety experts fear that more novices could also mean more accidents.

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