It's only a short walk to Rachel's local telehub, but at this time of year the biodiversity corridors along the designated cycle networks are so pretty that she prefers to ride to the telehub on the other side of town where her mates work.

The thought that what she is doing might be considered 'commuting' brings an involuntary smile. Her father's nightmare stories of the slow, hot, stressful overcrowded trains that characterised his commute seem unimaginable.

Nowadays many people work from home, or at their local telehub if they want to maintain a clear separation between work and play. Many also find that the mix of different job types and sectors represented at the hubs add an extra dimension of interest and creativity to their work.

For example, only one of Rachel's friends also works for the Ministry of Light. The rest are scattered across a range of professions, having drifted in separate directions after leaving school. One of the best things about the telehub is that they can still work together, and their understanding helps bring out the best in each other.

Of course, it's not possible to walk or cycle every day. A hangover from overdoing a night out, or a decision to dress up sometimes means the intelligent transport system is a better option. But with a bus never more than three minutes away, it's a pretty straightforward journey either way.

Today her only official meeting will be the bi-weekly team gathering. As usual, this is going to be held in LifePlus (the latest generation online virtual environment) so she can choose a suitable outfit when she gets there. The meeting is currently scheduled for a virtual safari lodge overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater so maybe something in Khaki? She pushes thoughts of digital couture to the back of her mind and pedals on, enjoying the spectacle as she goes.