PHOENIX — A bill in the Arizona Legislature would make it illegal to ban cruising or lowriding in the state.
HB 2332 is sponsored by state Rep. Cesar Aguilar, D-District 26, and has support from lowrider communities who say the ban unfairly targets them.
Richard Ochoa is the founder of a lowrider club founder in the Valley.
"I think everyone has a right to drive on the street a public way especially if you're paying the taxes for it, but at the same time do it in a reasonable and responsible manner," said Ochoa. "We are part of the community"
While cruising ordinances are not specifically targeted at lowriders, they are the community that’s impacted by such ordinances.
Some city ordinances define "cruising" as passing the same traffic point a certain number of times in an hour but according to Ochoa, that is pretty much what lowriders do.
MORE DETAILS: Lowrider culture part of Phoenix identity
Ochoa acknowledged that there have been issues with lowrider meetups in the past.
"Maybe folks weren't cleaning up after themselves and maybe they were taking advantage of a situation and you know some of these cruising scenes were on boulevards or on main streets where businesses are located," said Ochoa.
The last big cruising controversy happened on Grand Avenue in 2020, where lowriders would gather until police shut them down.
One business organizer along Grand Avenue wouldn't talk on camera but did tell 12News the situation was getting out of hand - including being dangerous and crowded.
But, according to Ochoa, that is generally not the case. The majority of lowrider groups are about the cars and the work that goes into them.
The bill is currently making its way through the Statehouse. It passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in January.
It seeks to do the following:
- Prohibit a local authority from enacting or enforcing an ordinance or regulation that prohibits cruising.
- Define cruising as the repetitive driving of a motor vehicle past the same place without a destination or particular purpose within a specified time period.
- Restrict local authority from limiting motor vehicle suspension modifications or bumper heights.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.