Bill To Repeal California Cruising Ban Introduced In Assembly

A bill to repeal several sections of the California vehicle code to make cruising activities legal statewide for the first time since 1992 was introduced in the Assembly on Monday.

According to Assembly Bill 436, authored by Assemblyman David Alvarez (D-San Diego), the authorization for a local authority to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or regulation regarding cruising activities would be removed from the state vehicle code. In addition, the law banning lowriders, which are vehicles modified to be lowered closer to the road below where the lowest part of where the rims of the wheels end, would be repealed.

A growing number of laws against cruising, an event when those with custom, lowrider, and vintage cars drive slowly through an area or park to admire cars, have been repealed across the state in recent years. Last year alone saw the removal of cruising bans in Sacramento and San Jose, as well as the passage of ACR 176, which encouraged local governments and law enforcement to work with car enthusiast and lowrider groups to allow cruising events.

Assemblyman Alvarez wrote the bill due to the vehicles and cruising events being tied to the states culture and history.

“I think the time has come the times have changed,” said Assemblyman Alvarez on Monday. “I think it’s appropriate now that we make sure that people can freely, and normally go about their lives enjoying these old cars. Without any possibility of being involved in illegal activity as it currently states.

“Cruising is not a crime. The art of classic cars and low riders is embedded into our culture and it brings unity to our communities throughout California.”

It was with great pride and honor that I introduced AB 436 today! Check it out here: https://t.co/V9ieqBuVOf

Cruising is not a crime. The art of classic cars and low riders is embedded into our culture and it brings unity to our communities throughout California.

— David Alvarez (@AlvarezSD) February 7, 2023

Others noted that laws banning lowriders and cruising have been seen as discriminatory towards Latinos, and that their association with crimes and gangs in the 1970s and 1980s have all but disappeared today.

“Cruising is part of California’s culture, lowriders are part of our state culture, and we want to make sure that we honor that as state legislators,” added Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-San Fernando Valley), a co-sponsor of AB 436, on Monday. “It’s time for other cities to follow the footsteps of Sacramento, San Jose, and others, to repeal these archaic and discriminatory laws.”

Max Echevarria, a lowrider enthusiast and group leader in East Los Angeles, explained to the Globe on Tuesday that “Lowriders have been around since the 1920s and 1930s here. They were tied to gangs for a while in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but they just co-opted it from all the people doing it as a hobby or for fun. It’s not really part of gang culture any more though. A lot of people don’t want this bill to pass over crime issues, but to a lot of us, this bill is seen as taking a part of our culture back from all those gang members and criminals. They don’t win. We win.”

Echevarria was also amongst the dozens of lowrider aficionados in Sacramento on Monday gathering in support of the bill outside the Capitol Building.

As of Tuesday, no formal opposition to AB 436 has been formed, although some challenges regarding vehicle and event safety are likely to be raised.

“That will probably come up,” added Echevarria. “But hydraulics on cars have been proven to be safe, and cruising is usually a blocked off event, so it doesn’t violate any traffic laws. We’re always welcome to hear any more valid concerns anywhere about this, because we really want to bust myths and prove that cruising is a cultural event once again.”

AB 436 is expected to be given committee assignments soon in the Assembly.