Lowriders began back in the 1940s in the barrios, or Mexican-American neighborhoods, of southern California. Since then,it has spread to other areas of the country and even over seas.

Although lowriders are most commonly associated with Chicanos, members of other cultures own, design, and build lowriders.

In fact, one of the early prime pioneers of lowriding in Tucson, Arizona was an African American who goes by the nickname of "Big O". Lowrider owners often form clubs for mutual assistance, encouragement, and for social activities.These clubs try to raise the status of lowriding in the public eye by engaging in community-oriented charitable activities.