Sarah McElveen remembers a few steadfast rules in her mother's house.

One of them was no helmet, no bike.

Parker C. Smith / AJC Special (ENLARGE)

Helmets are a must when riding a bicycle, motorcycle or scooter.

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"I couldn't even sit on it or go near it [without a helmet]," said McElveen, who even donned one to ride her bike with training wheels. "You can break an arm and be fine, but if you have a head injury, you may not," she said. "It was a good lesson to instill."

Now 20, the Georgia Tech student never leaves home without a helmet as she commutes to class and to run errands on and off campus. That's not just a safe practice but a law in Georgia as helmets are required for all two-wheel vehicles.

McElveen is among a growing number of people who have parked their gas-guzzling cars for more efficient two-wheelers such as bicycles, scooters and motorcycles. More than 190,000 motorcycles (which includes scooters and mopeds) were registered through Aug. 6, compared to a total of 174,000 in 2007 and 157,000 in 2006, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue.

As more alternative vehicles hit the streets, all drivers share responsibility to remain alert, wear protective gear such as helmets and obey the rules of the road to prevent injuries and deaths.

Poorly trained and inexperienced riders coupled with motorists not looking out for them increases the risks and dangers for everyone on the roadway.

"People don't take any kind of driving seriously [enough]," said Jim Kelly, state coordinator of the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program, which has added 10 instructors since February and plans to add another 40 by end of the year to meet the growing demand. Kelly said that distractions such as texting, talking and putting on makeup add to the existing dangers on the road.

More than 70 percent of crashes occur at intersections as the smaller frame of two-wheeled vehicles makes them less visible and more difficult to judge their approaching speed and distance. Two-wheelers are often hidden in a motorist's blind spot, so cars pull out in front of them.

"It doesn't matter whether your vehicle has two or four wheels, commuters must pay attention to the road and be aware of all of the vehicles around them," Kelly said.

All drivers share same rights, privileges and responsibilities on the road, so bikes and motorcycles should be allowed the full width of a traffic lane to maneuver safely. They are not allowed on sidewalks.

"So, right behind the 18-wheeler could be the pink scooter," said Frederick Huff, safety planner with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. Only vehicles that travel faster than 45 mph can operate on the interstate.

"It's all one road, and we've got to share it," Huff said. "The sooner people grow accustomed to seeing bikes and scooters on the road, the safer everyone will be."

McElveen was surprised to learn that she had the right of way. Before taking a bicycle safety class, she waited patiently as other vehicles passed; now she proceeds with the flow of traffic.

Safety classes also train riders such as McElveen to better operate their vehicle of choice. Novice motorcycle and scooter riders, for instance, often underestimate the power of their bikes and lose control maneuvering turns, corners and around road hazards.

Leslie Bladen didn't take any chances with her scooter. The Decatur woman purchased a scooter three years ago to cut fuel costs during short trips of less than 10 miles around her Oakhurst community. Bladen enrolled in a motorcycle safety program before hopping on the scooter she affectionately calls "Pearl."

"If you've never ridden one, you shouldn't just get on one and take off," said Bladen, who is often approached by other middle-aged people asking her about safety concerns. "You need to learn to be defensive, responsible and not be a hazard to anyone else."

Scooter and Motorcycle Safety

• Motorcycle riders are required to wear a DOT-approved helmet that fits snuggly with face shield, goggles or glasses.

• Riders should wear full-fingered gloves, preferably leather, long-sleeved shirts or jackets and sturdy pants (no shorts). Brightly colored and refelctive vests are recommended.

• Riders should wear boots that cover your ankles.

• Georgia law requires headlights turned on while the motorcycle is on any public road.

• Use high beams rather than low beams and consider using a modulating headlight.

• Be careful of pot holes, wet leaves and road obstructions may dictate that you take an

action that a driver may not anticipate.

• Signal before changing lanes and never weave between lanes.Check your mirrors for blind spots.

• Riders should maintain a minimum distance of two seconds behind the vehicle ahead.

Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Georgia Highway Safety Program. Visit www.gahighwaysafety.org and dds.ga.gov for safety classes.

Vying for the Road

•Cyclists: Passionate about human-powered vehicles; often feels a sense of "me against the world of cars." Common safety concern: A driver opens their door without looking, when a cyclist is riding in a lane next to on-street parking. And wham! It often throws the bike rider into car traffic. Tip: Cyclists should leave at least 3 (preferably 5) feet between bike and parked cars; often requires riding in the middle of narrow lanes.

• Cruisers: Includes older riders who may have owned or ridden a motorcycle years ago with less-powerful engines. More injuries occur among 45-60 age group. Common safety concern: Losing control of the bike. Tip: Ride within your skill level and less than the speed limit. Don't weave in and out of traffic; don't tailgate and check for blind spots. Check the rear view mirrors before changing lanes or stopping. Don't drink and ride.

• Scooter commuter: Urban dweller who wants to find a different means of transportation to conserve gas. Common safety concern: Road hazards such as pot hole covers — very slick and can damage tires and cause scooter to tip over. Tip: Steer around or proceed over them very slowly; avoid turning the wheel when approaching.

• Motorists: Have been driving for so long they tend to believe they own the road. Common safety concern: Intersections — right hooks occur when a car speeds up to pass a bicycle from behind and suddenly makes a right-hand turn. A left hook takes place when a driver turns left across the path of a cyclist headed straight. Tip: Check mirrors and blind spots and signal your intentions before entering or leaving a lane or traffic and intersections. Allow a three or four second following distance so the rider has enough time to change speed, maneuver within a lane suddenly or stop in an emergency.

Source: Staff reports

Bicycle Safety

• Georgia law requires all cyclists to wear a helmet or protective head gear.

• All bikes in the U.S. are required to be sold with front and rear reflectors.

• Georgia law requires battery powered lights for evening or nighttime riding.

• Any clothing can be worn for short bicycle commutes of 2-4 miles. For longer trips, bicycle-specific clothing (tight fitting, fast-drying and high visibility) is recommended.

• Bicycle riders should wear bright, reflective clothing and cycling shoes that feature a locking cleat that secures the shoe to a pedal.

• No one may drive any vehicle on a sidewalk.

• Rearview mirrors can be helpful, but cyclists should always scan over their shoulder before making any lane changes or turns. This skill is challenging and requires practice because new cyclist have a tendency to veer to the left when turning their heads left.

• Bicycles must have brakes that can skid on dry, level pavement.

• Bicyclists can ride in the middle or left part of a lane if the lane is too narrow or unsafe.

• Bicycles are considered vehicles and riders must obey the same rules as motorists.

Atlanta Bicycle Campaign. Visit www.atlantabike.org for safety classes.