The Albuquerque city council this week unanimously repealed a 2005 cruising ordinance, allowing Route 66 enthusiasts to take a slow journey down Central Avenue in their classic cars without flouting the law.
The move was expected. The city council a year ago formed a task force to revisit the issue.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the task force found the 2005 Cruising on Public Streets ordinance were redundant in light of a 1994 irresponsible-driving ordinance:
The 1994 ordinance already contains prohibitions against irresponsible behaviors such as drag racing; excessively loud electronic sound or music; modification of exhaust systems; stopping, standing or parking near hazardous or congested places; and occupying roadways, certain medians and roadside areas.
“It not only affects the cruising community, but also the businesses Downtown and the things that are going on,” said cruising enthusiast Lorenzo Otero. “It’s a God-given right – it’s a freedom. Cruising has been not only a part of my life growing up, but also the kids that are growing up. They’re riding their bikes. They’re doing things together. It’s a sense of community.”
The city council also approved a plan with the Cultural Services Department to develop a program for recognized, special-interest vehicle clubs. It would encourage such clubs to partner with businesses and parking-lot owners to coordinate cruise events that don’t obstruct public rights-of-way.
The city also will offer car-club members to help design a recognition placard to be displayed on their vehicles.
Both measures were sponsored by city councilor Klarissa Pena, whom the Alibi newspaper noted “enjoys taking a slow Sunday drive down Central Avenue in her vintage pink Cadillac.”
Springfield, Missouri, took similar action in recent years. That city’s Kearney Street (aka a prominent Route 66 alignment) once was known as a rowdy Cruising Capital, prompting an anti-cruising ordinance during the early 1990s. That law is still on the books, but the city recently allowed organized cruises on that street.
(Image of a classic truck cruising down Route 66 in Albuquerque near the KiMo Theatre by Karen Blaha via Flickr)
“cruising enthusiast Lorenzo Otero. ‘It’s a God-given right – it’s a freedom.’ ” Which god is this?