3 BBC News Online users try alternative ways into work How did Steve Clarke's swap go? Dave Hay's train in vain Janet Powell's car share verdict

Dave Hay swapped his 20-mile car commute from Knaresborough to York for a walk, bus and train to work for a week.

But he said he could not keep it up because it left him with little time to see his family and cost four times as much.

Dr Howells' advice for Mr Hay was brief: "I'd say that under those circumstances he's wise to stick with his car and see his family and have breakfast with them."

Another challenger, Steve Clarke, swapped his 20 mile car journey from Fleet in Hampshire to Bracknell for a 12-mile cycle ride to work.

It took him twice as long but Mr Clarke said it was "one of the best decisions I've ever made" and is even thinking about selling the family's second car.

So what can the government do to encourage others to follow suit?

If we can work with local authorities ... to encourage more cycling, I think the experience of Steve [above] will be replicated everywhere Transport minister Kim Howells

"And that includes, of course, not only people who want to cycle to work, but getting children to school in the mornings.

"We know, for example, that a fifth of all vehicles on the road at the start of school and at the end of school are parents on the school run.

"So if we can work with local authorities and the various agencies out there in order to encourage more cycling and for people to feel safer when they're cycling then I think Steve's experience will be replicated everywhere."

Car sharing

Mr Howells is a keen cyclist himself, saying only "fanatics" like him are not put off by the hills of his Pontypridd constituency.

He went on: "It's a joy that a lot of adults have forgotten really.

"They all remember the first time they learnt to ride a bike and how great it was to move around a lot more quickly than you could even run but rediscovering that is tremendous, I think. I want more people to do it."

Janet Powell swapped to car share for her commute from her Dartmoor home to Plymouth.

Dr Howells said car sharing and car pooling were both interesting concepts which should be included in local transport plans alongside bus and cycling provision.

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