Teen's Bike Jumps Teach Leadership, Inspire New Approach

When authorities destroyed the bike jumps that 16-year-old Zeke Woolcock spent five months building in Tasmania, he admits he was upset at first. But the experience led to something unexpected: a conversation about how officials can better work with young people instead of shutting them down.

Zeke and his friends spent their nights after school moving tons of dirt by hand in bushland near Launceston's stadium. They crafted jumps and berms in what seemed like the perfect spot with good dirt, pouring their teenage energy into creating something they loved.

The problem was they built on public land managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service, which requires safety and conservation assessments for any development. One day Zeke woke up to a text saying his "pride and joy" had been flattened.

"The first few days I was quite upset," Zeke said. "But I did realize in the end it was the wrong thing to be doing."

Why This Inspires

University of Melbourne researcher David Camilleri has been studying what happens when young people build bike jumps together. His research shows it fosters leadership, teaches problem solving, and creates community connections.

"It's just young people wanting to create a space for themselves," Dr. Camilleri said. The teamwork required to move tons of dirt with hand tools builds exactly the kind of skills adults want teens to develop.

Zeke experienced this firsthand. "I've found it has really helped me become a leader," he said.

Professional trail builder Robert Potter knows the feeling because he did the same thing 30 years ago. Now he builds mountain bike trails for a living and wants to channel young people's enthusiasm into official projects.

"We really do need to find a way to harness the enthusiasm and ability of the riders who want to contribute to maintaining these public assets," Potter said. He's seen how involving young people in approved trails gives them a sense of ownership.

Dr. Camilleri's research suggests negative effects can flow when authorities simply destroy jumps without engaging the builders. Potter agrees that replication isn't enough. "That doesn't satisfy the need they have to actually do the building and all the good things that come from that," he said.

Now Zeke is building on private land with permission, applying the lessons he learned. His story shows how a confrontation can spark better solutions when everyone listens.