BGCLK Partners with Lowrider Bike Club, LKPD in Innovative Summer Program
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence (BGCLK) has taken another step towards greater workforce development opportunities and community involvement at the Center for Great Futures. The Olathe Leadership Lowrider Bike Club, aimed at empowering local teens through a summer program that combines lowrider bike-building with essential life skills development, has partnered with BGCLK and the Lawrence Kansas Police Department (LKPD) to build up to 10 customized lowrider bicycles. This innovative program marks the launch of the first Lawrence chapter of the Leadership Lowrider Bike Club, offering a unique blend of technical education, mentorship, and community involvement.
Lowrider bicycles, named for the similar customizability of lowrider cars, give builders the opportunity to fine-tune their technical skills while allowing their own personal style to shine. The Olathe chapter of the Leadership Lowrider Bike Club was established in 2017 in the Olathe Public Schools. Their mission is to help students in high school find a sense of belonging and support, both socially and academically. This program allows students to receive weekly mentoring, academic support, community service and cultural identity development through the Lowrider community, all while building custom bikes.
But this new partnership is not just about building bikes, says Chris Jones, Director of Teen Services at BGCLK; “it’s about learning valuable technical and communication skills while building positive relationships with law enforcement.” A key component of the program is its focus on strengthening community ties, primarily by involving LKPD officers in the building process. For many young people, their primary interactions with officers are in negative or enforcement-based situations. “By working together on projects like this, our teens can interact with officers in a positive new way and start building a stronger sense of community,” said Jones.
Laci Maltbie, CEO of BGCLK, expressed her enthusiasm about the potential impact of the new program on Club members and the broader community. “Adding the Lowrider Bike Club into our programming allows us to bring unique, hands-on learning experiences directly to our teens. This isn’t just about having fun—though that’s certainly a big part of it! We’re also opening doors to new possibilities and equipping our teens with skills that could give them an advantage in their future careers or hobbies,” explained Maltbie. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how this program inspires our members to become more involved in their community.”
Projects with the Lowrider Bike Club have been featured in local events, such as the Rev It Up Hot Rod Street Fest, held each September in downtown Lawrence.