The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) unveiled a special lowrider bicycle in honor of the agency's 50th Anniversary. The bike, which was a collaborative effort between students from lowrider bike clubs in Albuquerque and Olathe, Kansas, serves as a tribute to the DEA's milestone anniversary, according to a press release.
According to the City of Albuquerque, the lowrider bicycle was built by students from the Duke City and Olathe, KS Lowrider Bicycle Clubs.
The Duke City and Olathe Lowrider Bike Clubs, along with community partners, construct low-rider bicycles while also receiving education on various community concerns, such as substance misuse, criminal activity, violence, and perceptions of law enforcement. These clubs act as a link between underrepresented adolescents and local, state, and federal law enforcement. The DEA's Operation Engage initiative supports these clubs, taking a comprehensive community-oriented approach to combat the drug epidemic by emphasizing prevention strategies and promoting dialogue and collaboration with local partners, according to a press release.
Councilor Klarissa Peña expressed her satisfaction with the Duke City Lowrider Bike Club, stating, "Having this bike that our students helped build be showcased at a national level is another success story for this youth engagement program."
The Duke Youth Leadership Lowrider Bike Club is an afterschool program designed for at-risk high school students. It is organized through a collaboration between the City of Albuquerque's Family and Community Services Department, Esperanza Bike Club, and the City Council Office. The initiative involves volunteers and mentors from various city departments, including the Police Department, Fire Department, and Community Safety Department, as well as members of the broader community. The club provides a secure environment for students, mentors, and volunteers to come together, exchange insights, creativity, and knowledge, and collectively address local community concerns, according to the Duke Youth Leadership Lowrider Bike Club website.
The lowrider bicycle, created by the Duke City and Olathe Lowrider Bike Clubs, is a testament to the power of community engagement and youth involvement in addressing important issues. Its unveiling in Washington, D.C., marks a significant milestone for both the DEA and the students who contributed to its construction.
