Is it a bike? Is it a plane? Bizarre-looking vehicle stopped on motorway

Police have described stopping one of the strangest vehicles seen on Britain’s roads – a motorbike gaffer-taped to a look like a boat.

The odd-looking contraption and its driver were flagged down on a motorway near Bedfordshire on Sunday evening, prompting a somewhat confused tweet from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire roads policing unit.

“The most unusual vehicle I’ve stopped on a motorway in my 26 years! All checked and in order, although still not convinced I know what it is,” the officer in control of the account posted.

While some said the vehicle was reminiscent of the Messerschmitt bubble cars prevalent in the mid 20th century, others suggested it looked like a Quasar motorbike from the 1980s.

The latter was closer to the truth – Bedfordshire Police said it transpired to be a motorbike with a shell around it – and the fact it was found to be legal suggests it had a number plate, was insured and had passed an MOT.