Scooter giant Piaggio has launched a three-month long study into the benefits of commuting to work on two wheels rather than four.

Five volunteers from national accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward have agreed to ride to work rather than drive. Based in London, the participants are keeping a diary about their commuting.

Just three weeks into the study, each volunteer is saving an hour a day in commuting time and has slashed fuel costs by £3 to £4 per week.

Siobhan Curtain, marketing manager at Piaggio, said: 'For most people, the daily commute is not the best part of the day and congestion increases stress levels. Commuting by scooter provides employees with more free time and the low running costs also save money, on average £20 a week.

'Our study participants have also noticed a difference in work attitude because they have control over their commute.'

By saving £20 a week in fuel by switching to scooters, a London-based firm of 100 drivers could save up to £100,000 a year.