WKU News

Western Kentucky University (WKU), the city of Bowling Green and the Commonwealth of Kentucky came together on Tuesday, April 28, to officially recognize Bike4Alz Team XIV with a proclamation declaring April 28 at “Bike4Alz Day” in Kentucky.

Bike4Alz is a student-run nonprofit organization based at WKU dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research through an annual cross-country cycling journey. Each summer, a team of 12 undergraduate students bicycles 3,600 miles from San Francisco, California to Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

The 2026 ride marks the 14th consecutive year of Bike4Alz’s mission-driven journey. Since its founding in 2010, the organization has raised nearly $800,000 in support of Alzheimer’s research. This year, Team XIV has set an ambitious goal of raising $150,000, with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to the Alzheimer’s Association and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky.

The team will depart from Bowling Green on May 13 and begin the official ride on May 17 in San Francisco. Riders will pass through Bowling Green from July 5-7 before completing the journey in Virginia Beach on July 26.

Members of Team XIV emphasized the personal connections and motivations that drive their commitment to the cause.

“What individuals with Alzheimer’s go through and what their caregivers go through, that’s what drew me to this. I want to give back to those people,” said Lucas Dunning, Social Media Coordinator.

Jakob Barker, Events Coordinator, shared, “I look forward to doing this ride for my grandma who suffers from White Matter Disease, but also for the millions of Americans across the country who suffer from Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions. I look forward to using my time on this ride to hear stories, connect with others and spread a message of hope.”

Miles Harvey, Director of Ride Operations, added, “I am committed to finding a cure for this terrible disease and connecting with people who have also been affected. I hope that Team XIV can shine a light into those people’s lives and we can make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.”

Jagger Tomes, Social Media Coordinator, reflected on his personal experience: “I have family members who lost their lives to both Alzheimer’s and other cognitive degenerative diseases. It’s something so devastating, having to watch it affect not only those with the disease, but all the family involved. I want to be on a team and part of an organization that, as we move across the country, can connect with people who are suffering, helping fight for the first cure.”

The proclamation of Bike4Alz Day highlights the collaborative support of WKU, local and state leadership in recognizing the impact of student-driven initiatives and the ongoing fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

WKU President Timothy C. Caboni expressed his appreciation of the students’ efforts on behalf of the university. “Team Fourteen, WKU is incredibly proud to stand with you as you take part in this journey of a lifetime,” he said. “On behalf of the entire institution, thank you. As you travel across the country, know that we stand behind you every mile of the way and that you carry with you the spirit of our university, the support of our Commonwealth and the hopes of the many individuals and families who will benefit from your work.”

For more information about Bike4Alz or to support Team XIV, contact Jakob Barker at jakob.barker@bike4alz.org.

- WKU -

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.