Gavin Newsom signs bill to legalize cruising in California, end restrictions on lowrider vehicles

Gov. Gavin Newsom legalized lowriding cruising across California Friday, ending years of discrimination against a pastime many people regard as an outlet for individuality and innovation.

Newsom signed AB 436, which will prohibit cities from enacting new laws restricting the display of customized classic cars by cruising on city streets. The bill, authored by David Alvarez, D-San Diego is regarded as a victory for people who have fought for years to repeal a statewide ordinance viewed as discriminatory in the Latino community.

California’s first regulations against lowriders and cruising began in the 1950s. By 1982, the state passed a law allowing municipalities to implement bans over concerns about traffic, noise and crime.

“The new law is a meaningful first step in removing barriers to the enjoyment of a diverse, unique and historic car culture,” said Francine Mata, president of the Sacramento Lowrider Commission.

AB 436 will also end modification restrictions on lowrider vehicles. Currently, owners cannot modify vehicles so that the body car is closer to the ground than the bottom of the rims.

Cities like Sacramento, Modesto and San Jose have lifted their own decades-old ban in recent years. And last year, the Legislature unanimously approved a resolution urging towns and cities across the state to drop their cruising bans.

But bans had remained in places such as Los Angeles, Fresno and Santa Ana.