Leelanau County probation officer Tom Mayhew and co-workers Joe Povolo and Therese Schaub came up with an idea to get troubled youths off the streets.

Take them outside and encourage outdoor activity – especially if it involves a bicycle.

Mayhew said for young offenders who haven't gone through the court system, the program provides a positive outlet and keeps them away from negative influences.

Tom Mayhew

“Relationships and working with your probation officer outside of the system is beneficial,” said Mayhew, who helps organize bike rides and other activities. “Being outdoors is helpful, and exposing them to different things is stimulating.”

When Mayhew began taking youths on bike rides nearly 10 years ago, the Leelanau County probationary court staff only had five bikes. Last year, however, George Bennett of Geo Bikes in Leland donated 14 used bicycles for Mayhew and his co-workers to use in conjunction with their Leelanau-based program.

“We were limited to how many kids we could take biking. If one (bike) was broken, and we had five kids signed up, we’d be out of luck,” said Mayhew. The 14 donated bikes opened up new possibilities.

Mayhew, who likes to bike himself, called it a wonderful gift. He had seen too many youths with “junk bikes” that didn’t last or work properly. He said all of the donated bikes were in good working order, and were made by name-brand companies, that can stand up to the trails where the Mayhew takes the youths.

The program offers a sense of accomplishment.

“When you do something like the Vasa trail (in Traverse City), which is a technical trail, it’s an accomplishment and that’s self esteem (for the students),” Mayhew said. “Someone who might say, ‘this is too much,’ has someone pushing them through when they otherwise wouldn’t.”

Mayhew said that once he took out a group on a ride and at the 10-mile mark, he gave them the option to turn around. Two girls who hadn't biked before and were clearly struggling chose to keep going. That perseverance makes Mayhew and his team proud.

The probationary court has a regular schedule of summer outings.

“All of June we’ll be doing biking, disc golf, and other activities. July we’ll be kayaking and on the water,” said Mayhew, who’s a certified lifeguard. This summer, the offenders will also take part in other Leelanau programs, such as "Voices & Choices" for young women and the "Guys Group" for young men.

The court accepts donations of any outdoor equipment, including fishing poles, tennis rackets, kayaks, Frisbees and of course, bicycles.