The ZX81 has often been described as the Model T Ford of the microcomputer industry, so it's perhaps inevitable that Sinclair's C5 battery-assisted tricycle will be described as the ZX81 of the motor industry.

The C5 is a bare-bones sort of machine - so much so that we at PCN can now bring you a personalised Pro-Test of it. You don't need a machine - just follow these instructions.

First, lie down on your back. Now bring your feet up about six inches from the floor, and tilt your head forward. You're now most of the way there, but you need to steer, so put your hands under your knees, and start pedalling with your feet. Just a few more hours practice and you should be a competent C5 driver.

Of course you can also go into full simulator mode by repeating the above instructions in the kitchen, this time with the washing machine on so that you can simulate the C5's adapted washing machine engine. You could also put a blanket round your shoulders to simulate the weather-proofing add-on that will be produced for it.

You can probably deduce from all this that the C5 isn't quite the combination of milk-float and Mini Metro the world has been expecting. It's an open-topped three-wheeler whose motor will take it up to around 15mph, perhaps faster if you pedal hard. You'd better not though, because you don't need to have a licence, insurance, crash helmet or road tax for a vehicle with a maximum speed of 15mph.

Sinclair is aiming for production of 100,000 C5s next year, although currently only around 100 a day are being produced. But with the vehicle selling for less than £400 we should soon see recumbent pioneers gliding past.

It's a moot point whether the vehicle will revolutionise commuting, but it's certain to achieve minor cult status at the very least. And there could be more where it came from, as Sinclair is talking about producing a whole series of electric vehicles.

PCN can exclusively reveal that the first step will be the production of a 500 Lb (legabyte) RAMpack that will help you pedal faster. The machine's successor, the C6, will have a number of added features, in cluding a rubber membrane keyboard to replace the C5's pressure-sensitive handlebars.