9 Feb 2010

Christchurch boyracer predicts riots over cruising bylaw

5:32 pm on 9 February 2010

A Christchurch boyracer is predicting riots in response to the city council's plans to introduce a bylaw banning street cruising.

The council will consider the proposed bylaw on Thursday - the first local government to exercise new powers to curb cruising under a law passed by Parliament last year.

The draft bylaw proposes forbidding cruising on all multi-lane streets and some suburban trouble-spots.

The bylaw recommends a prohibition on cruising from 10pm till 5am from Thursday to Sunday, and the night before statutory holidays.

But Chris Bowers, who describes himself as a car enthusiast, believes boyracers will oppose the bylaw by rioting.

Mr Bowers says most boyracers do not pay their fines and will simply cruise elsewhere.

Drivers caught breaching the bylaw would incur an instant $150 ticket, or a fine of up to $1000.