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The rocket-powered train -

In 1966, the United States started working on their own high-speed rail system in response to Japan's first bullet train. While maybe a bit crude, putting two giant jets on top of the train car seemed to do the trick, and whoever the test passengers were surely had the ride of their lives.

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A fine day on the Thames -

In 1965, Skipper and Stella Hornsby finally grew fed up with the incessant London traffic. In a stroke of genius, or madness, depending on who you ask, they decided to fit their scooter with floatation devices and took their ride to the Thames.

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The fast and the virtuous -

Ever been running late to mass? That's rarely a problem for this nun from Akron, Ohio, and her trusty go-kart. 

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The Amphicar -

The short-lived reign of the Amphicar as the world's favorite mode of transport was a glorious time indeed. Famously the favorite car of American President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Amphicar made commutes a lot more fun, and a lot more scenic.

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The radical rocket skates -

Here is salesman Mike Dreschler in 1961 on his way to make some sales on his rocket skates, right after he gets his tank topped off. The skates, which apparently didn't catch on, were powered by a single-horsepower engine strapped to his back.

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The Speed Cycle -

Developed in Birmingham, England, in the 1930s, the Speed Cycle was meant to be the fastest pedal bike in the world, allegedly able to reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour).

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The Whitwood -

Although it wouldn't seem like such a great idea in the 21st century, the Whitwood city car made waves in 1930s England. Designed to weave through the ever-increasing traffic of the city, this high-speed, two-wheeled car definitely made for an exciting commute to say least.

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The Dynasphere -

This design has been a favorite sci-fi fantasy for decades, and Englishman J.A. Purves made it a brief reality in 1931. Dubbed the Dynasphere, the vehicle's novelty didn't quite make up for its total lack of practicality.

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The waterbike -

The analog answer to the Amphicar was the German-made waterbike, built for maximum buoyancy. While it was put on exhibition in the 1930s, surely its usefulness was immediately brought into question. It must have been an interesting ride, at the very least!

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The rocket bike -

While short-lived, surely the rocket bike made for an exhilarating commute. Pictured is a man testing his rocket bike, just minutes before the twelve rockets strapped to the back would explode and throw the cyclist off.

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Up, up, and back down -

Lots of customized planes were being built around the early 20th century by inventors, stuntmen, and people who simply wanted their own plane. Who wouldn't? Unfortunately, most didn't work as well as their makers planned, and surely the moments following this picture weren't so triumphant.

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Let the dog drive -

While probably in a bit of a legal gray area at the time, letting the dog drive surely made for an exciting journey. This pup looks up to the challenge though, he's certainly got the goggles for it.

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Horsepower? How about goatpower? -

The industrious little boy in this picture has cut his commute to school in half by fashioning an old wicker chair with some wheels and hooking himself up to his trusty pet goat.

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Mid-flight athletics -

Gladys Roy and Ivan Unger were probably two of the only people already bored with air travel by the mid-20th century. To alleviate their boredom, they decided to play a relaxed match of tennis aboard their plane.

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The original motorized scooter -

Look familiar? Long before electric rental scooters took over the cityscape in the 21st century, Lady Norman (pictured) was already scooting around London on her own gas-powered scooter in 1916.

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Hitching a ride -

Hitchhiking: the cheapest commute, and certainly one of the more exciting. During England's massive general strike of 1926, seats on board commuter trains were increasingly scarce, and many dealt with the problem by simply hopping on the back of the train.

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Just rolling along -

Another novel idea some folks had during the strike that made public transport scarce was roller-skates. Faster than walking and cheaper than driving, roller-skating was also almost certainly more fun than either.

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Multitasking -

This Norwegian-born yoga teacher based in Hong Kong is obviously pretty passionate about his time management. He's getting in his daily news and his morning stretches on his subway commute.

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Add some extra steps, just for fun -

What inventor Walter Nilsson is trying to accomplish here is a bit unclear. While he certainly has the new advantage of height over his fellow pedestrians, whether or not that makes up for the complication of such a simple task as walking is up for debate.

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I'll just wait for the next one... -

Six London-based Elephants, Mary, Maureen, Janie, Anne, Beverly, and Rebecca, have to get to work at the circus, but it looks like on this day they chose the bus rather than the long walk to the big top.

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Riding high on a penny farthing -

One bicycle fad that we all secretly wish would make a comeback is the penny farthing. This man, pictured in 1932, decided it still wasn't exciting enough, and decided to add a musical number to his commute.

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Taking the boat off-road -

Who said boats have to stay in the water? Besides physicists, barely anyone. Sometimes it's good to test out some new terrain, although the authorities might not always agree.

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Skip the commute, have a picnic instead -

It looks like this couple threw the whole commute to the side, and decided to have a romantic picnic in a field instead. The wine and the candelabra are certainly a nice touch.

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Take to the skies -

What's the best way to beat the traffic? To fly over it, of course! This pair of aeronauts have just left the world of traffic, stop signs and turn signals, and are now off to their destination as the crow flies. 

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Cars are for squares -

These two children in Brooklyn are obviously in it for the ride as they coast down an autumn Brooklyn street on their penny boards. The cars parked on either side are of absolutely no interest to them.

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No license, no problem -

A baby driving the bus? Why not! This kid looks like he's having the time of his life commandeering his bus, and I'm sure the passengers are equally thrilled.

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Bikes and breakfast -

These waiters in Palm Springs, California, made their job twice as easy when they decided to start pedaling together while delivering food to the bungalows on the outskirts of their hotel.

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Daredevils are never bored -

Someone like Evel Knievel must have a special detestation for boring commutes. After all, he made a whole career out of going faster, farther, and higher than most people ever could.

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Staying connected -

While this Kolb's bread truck probably couldn't pick up the local rock n' roll station, it did allow for the driver to communicate with his colleagues back at the store, which surely made the deliveries far less lonesome.

See also: You're more likely to die early if you have these habits

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