City Council Votes Unanimously to Repeal National City's Lowrider Cruising Ban

Update: Tuesday night, National City leaders unanimously passed a repeal of a 1992 ordinance that banned cruising. A second reading of the ordinance will take place on April 18, at which time the ban could be officially repealed.

Cruising was ingrained in National City culture for decades, but in 1992 the city council passed an ordinance that banned the pastime.

Then-city leaders said the ordinance was passed to address crime and traffic in the area, but many people in the community said it hurt the culture of the city as well.

“The lowrider culture is very unique and it’s not a hobby, it’s our passion, it’s our lifestyle,” said Jovito Arellano , the president of the United Lowrider Coalition.  

The Lowrider Coalition wants to restore the passion and tradition of cruising that they said united the community.

“Lowriding for me means community, cruising to me means comradery, appreciation of each other and each other’s art,” said Aida Castaneda, a board member with the United Lowrider Coalition.

Now some National City business owners and residents not a part of lowrider groups also want the ban repealed.

Lowrider groups including the United Lowrider Coalition are also reaching out to state lawmakers to craft legislation to prevent cruising bans.

“A.B. 436 is a bill sponsored by David Alvarez that bill may pass pretty soon and Rivas assemblymembers to remove the Cities no cruising ordinance through the State of California,” Arellano said.

Last May, lowriders took to the streets in National City for the first time in 30 years as part of a trial period to determine if the practice should continue long-term. At that time, the plan was for lowrider cruising to be allowed in National City on the first Friday of the month through October.

However, after the extremely popular first lowrider cruise night was held May 6, the city of National City and National City Police Departments wanted the event sponsor to foot a nearly $8,000 tab for each of its upcoming events.

The police department provided the United Lowriders Coalition with a letter outlining several issues they say were encountered or observed during the event. Some of the issues addressed included "extraordinary traffic congestion," a lack of "event-related traffic signage, and a need for dedicated police resources specific to the event."

In late May, the test pilot of legal lowrider cruising was discontinued, with scheduled events canceled after the organizers said they could afford the hefty price tag tacked on by the city and its police department.