Andrew Brown, a 20-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol, was originally stationed at the CHP’s San Francisco Area office. He later transferred to the Solano Area office in Fairfield before joining the Placerville Area office in 2015. In 2017, Officer Brown assumed the role of Public Information Officer (PIO), serving as a vital link between the community and the department. In recognition of his service, Brown was named Officer of the Year by the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills in 2020.
Brown explained that the Placerville Area CHP office covers the Western Slope to Twin Bridges, where responsibility transitions to the South Lake Tahoe Area office. Under the command of Lt. Rick Hatfield, the Placerville office has approximately 35 officers and up to four sergeants. While the CHP’s responsibilities have expanded over the years, Brown said its primary mission remains traffic safety.
Much of Brown’s presentation focused on the rapidly growing use of e-bikes, e-motos and e-scooters, particularly among young riders. He emphasized that although they may sometimes look similar, there are important differences. An e-bike is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that assists the rider and, depending on its classification, is limited in motor-assisted speed and power. An e-moto, short for electric motorcycle, is designed for off-highway use and can be considerably faster and more powerful than an e-bike. Brown cautioned that some e-motos may resemble e-bikes but are not legally permitted to be ridden on public roads as bicycles. An e-scooter generally has two wheels, handlebars and a standing platform and is powered by an electric motor.
Brown expressed particular concern about children operating electric mobility devices capable of reaching speeds beyond their riding experience and skill level. With a traditional bicycle, he explained, a young rider generally gains speed as riding skills improve. With an e-bike or e-moto, considerable speed can be available almost immediately. As Brown put it, “speed does not scale with skill.”
He encouraged parents to understand exactly what they are purchasing for their children, its capabilities and where it may legally be ridden. He also reminded motorists who encounter young riders traveling unsafely to slow down and avoid confronting or engaging them.
Brown also addressed distracted driving, noting that hands-free conversations can still divert a driver’s attention. Voice texting can be particularly distracting because drivers often find themselves thinking about, reviewing or correcting a message rather than concentrating fully on the road.
Brown concluded by answering questions from Rotarians about e-bike and e-scooter regulations, bicycle paths, distracted-driving laws and other traffic-safety concerns affecting the community.