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King County Metro:

Nine new routes, more than 3,000 additional weekly trips and stronger Link light rail connections.

Eastside service improvements will connect communities from Bellevue to the Snoqualmie Valley with 2 Link light rail stations and service across Lake Washington. The changes add more frequent service, expand operating hours and improve connections throughout the Eastside transit network.

• New Route 215 will provide an all-week connection between North Bend, Snoqualmie, Issaquah and Mercer Island Station.
• New routes 220 and 270 will replace Route 271 to improve speed and reliability between Eastgate, downtown Bellevue and the University District.
• Revised routes 111, 218 and 269 will run more frequently and connect riders to the 2 Line at South Bellevue or Mercer Island stations.
• Routes 111 (between Renton and South Bellevue Station) and 269 (between Sammamish and Mercer Island Station) will expand to all-day, all-week service, with earlier morning trips, later evening service and more frequent buses.

To see all the other King County Metro Changes for the region visit: https://kingcountymetro.blog/2026/08/03/king-county-metro-announces-major-service-expansion-across-king-county/

Sound Transit:

Many ST Express bus routes will undergo changes, ranging from discontinued routes to major adjustments and minor service improvements to enhance reliability.  

The Fall 2026 Service Change incorporates the results of last year’s study and extensive public engagement, resulting in our largest change in ST Express ridership in recent years. The changes include new Night Bus service to Redmond and Federal Way, modified routes and schedules, and discontinued routes in response to the expansion of the 1 and 2 Line services. 

535 (Lynnwood – Bellevue): Increase weekend service to every 30 minutes during the day and add a southbound trip in the early morning on weekends

550 (Bellevue – Seattle): Discontinue Route 550

547 (Redmond – Seattle): New Night Bus overnight service between Redmond and Downtown Seattle.

554 (Issaquah – Seattle): Discontinue Route 554

556 (Issaquah – Bellevue): Shorten route to downtown Bellevue Transit Center, 
increase frequency to every 15 minutes, and add stops in Issaquah

New weekend trips added to the schedule, and the 560: Schedule adjustments to improve reliability. 

• You are invited to attend a virtual session to ask questions and view all the changes:
  • Virtual Information Session #1: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 6 to 7 p.m.
  https://soundtransit-org.zoom.us/j/85912479810
  • Virtual Information Session #2: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 12 to 1 p.m.
  https://soundtransit-org.zoom.us/j/85761120355
  • Virtual Information Session #3: Thursday, Aug. 27, 6 to 7 p.m.
  https://soundtransit-org.zoom.us/j/8153949350

To view all changes, please visit https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/changes-affect-my-ride/service-changes.

June is Ride Transit Month, and if you’ve been curious about commuting differently, this is a great time to experiment. Even if you don’t live somewhere easily accessible by transit routes, commuting sustainably can still be an option for you. For many people in Bellevue, the best sustainable commute is actually a combination of modes.  

That’s the idea behind multimodal commuting. Mix a bus ride with a short bike, pair light rail with vanshare, or drive to a Park & Ride and let transit handle the rest. The goal is to find a combination that works for your schedule, your neighborhood, and your life.  

Your Mode Menu

Lightrail: The 2 Line connects Bellevue with Seattle and Redmond, making it one of the fastest and most reliable options for commuting across Lake Washington. Skip the parking and traffic stress.  

Bus: The Bellevue Transit Center serves as a regional hub with routes from across the Eastside and beyond. A solid option whether you’re commuting downtown or connecting to another mode.  

Bike: Great for short distances and first/last mile trips. Ride to your nearest station, lock your bike up in a locker, and let transit handle the longer stretch.  

Walk: The simplest sustainable mode of all. If you’re within a reasonable distance to a transit stop, walking is often the easiest place to start.  

Vanpool: Ideal for longer commutes with a regular group. Vanpool costs are shared, and many employers offer subsidies that bring the price down further.  

Carpool: Share the ride with a neighbor, coworker, or roommate, and split the cost.  

Park & Ride: Not ready to leave your car behind entirely? Drive to a Park & Ride, then let transit do the rest. It’s a low-barrier way to cut down on solo driving without changing your whole routine.  

See It in Action

Here are four common combinations that work well in the Bellevue area:  

Drive + Transit: Park at a Park & Ride, then take a lightrail or bus the rest of the way. You still get the convenience of starting from your driveway without sitting in traffic the whole way.  

Walk + Transit: Walk to your nearest stop and let transit do the rest. Simple and often faster than you’d expect during peak commute hours.  

Transit + Micromobility: Bike or scooter to a transit station and let the bus or lightrail take you the rest of the way. This is especially useful if your workplace is close to a transit station, but your home might not be.  

Transit + Vanshare: Take transit most of the way, then connect with a vanshare for the final leg. A solid option to cover the first or last mile of your commute.  

The Numbers Make a Case

Beyond the environmental benefits, multimodal commuting makes financial sense. A household that takes public transportation and lives with one less car can save more than $13,000 annually. Even taking public transit just a few days a week or for just the first/last mile, adds up over time. By reducing reliance on a personal vehicle and choosing transit more often, a commuter can cut household carbon emissions by as much as 30 percent.

Public transit is also significantly safer than driving. A person can reduce their chances of being in an accident by more than 90% simply by taking public transit instead of commuting by car.  

Earn Rewards for Travelling Sustainably  

When you log non-drive-alone trips to, from, and around Bellevue through the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards Program, you can earn local gift cards ($10, $50, or $150) just for commuting sustainably. Whether you're riding the 2 Line, biking to your bus stop, or carpooling with a coworker, those trips count. Log your trips and start earning.

Ride Transit Month is a good excuse to try something new. Pick one combination from the list above, give it a week, and see how it fits. You might be surprised how well it works, and how quickly the rewards add up. 

June is Ride Transit Month, and transit agencies, advocacy organizations, and riders across Washington State are coming together to celebrate the buses, trains, ferries, vanpools, and streetcars that keep our communities connected. Whether you ride everyday, or you’ve never tapped an ORCA card, this is the perfect time to hop aboard and explore what public transit can do for you.

This June is especially exciting for the region. The 2026 International Soccer Tournament is coming to Seattle, with matches at Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) from June 15 through July 6. With limited parking  and heavy traffic expected around game days, transit is the smartest way to get around. Whether you’re headed to a match, a Fan Zone, or just trying to avoid the extra congestion, riding transit this month is a no-brainer.

Ride Transit Month is about more than just getting from point A to point B. It’s about saving money, cutting emissions, reducing traffic, and discovering how easy it can be to get around without driving alone. Here in Bellevue, Choose Your Way Bellevue is celebrating with the Ride Transit Month Travel Challenge and the Ride, Explore, Transfer: From Bellevue to Union Station event.

The Ride Transit Month Travel Challenge

All month long, Choose Your Way Bellevue is rewarding you for riding transit with the Ride Transit Month Travel Challenge. If you take a sustainable transit trip to, from, or around Bellevue, you can earn special rewards just by logging those trips during June.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create an account on the Choose Your Way Bellevue RideShare Online portal
2. Start logging your public transit trips
3. Reach your trip goals and earn entries into reward drawings!

The Challenge Rewards:  

• Log 15 non-drive-alone trips → Drawing to receive 1 of 8 $30 Spotify gift cards  
• Log 30 trips → Drawing to receive 1 of 8 $60 Spotify gift cards

The more you log, the more you can earn. In addition to the Ride Transit Month Travel Challenge, your transit trips also count toward Choose Your Way Bellevue's ongoing monthly rewards.

Ride, Explore, Transfer: From Bellevue to Union Station

New to transit, or curious about the 2 Line Crosslake Connection? Join Choose Your Way Bellevue and Sound Transit for Ride, Explore, Transfer: From Bellevue to Union Station, a free group light rail adventure on Friday, June 26, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m..

We'll meet at Bellevue Downtown Station and ride together across the floating bridge to Seattle's historic Union Station by the International District/Chinatown (IDC) Station. Along the way, you'll get a walkthrough of how to transfer between the 1 Line and 2 Line at the IDC station, which is a must-know skill for connecting to destinations further south like SeaTac Airport. Then we'll hop back on the train and ride home to Bellevue together.

This is a great opportunity for anyone who's been wanting to try light rail but wasn't sure where to start. No ORCA card? No problem. We'll provide preloaded ORCA cards to cover the cost of the ride.

Register today to save your spot!

Questions? Contact us at info@cywb.org  

Travel Workshop

Are you looking to use the light rail this summer, but are uncertain about how to purchase a ticket or have other questions about transit? 

We have a travel workshop coming up at the Downtown Bellevue Library on June 13 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. This workshop is best for those new to taking public transit.

Secure your spot and register today: bit.ly/travelworkshopbellevue

More Ways to Celebrate

Ride Transit Month is a statewide celebration, and there's no shortage of ways to get involved beyond Bellevue. Transportation Choices Coalition organizes the effort each year and offers fun activities like Transit Bingo that you can play all month long while you're out logging trips.

Whether you're commuting to work, heading to a summer event, or just exploring somewhere new, every transit trip you take in June is worth celebrating.

The Eastside’s trail network is one of the most connected and expansive in the region, and for many commuters and recreational riders, it’s more accessible than they realize. Paved trails now link Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Issaquah, with connections to Seattle and beyond. May is Bike Everywhere Month, and there’s no better time to get out and explore everything the Eastside has to offer.

The Eastrail

The Eastrail is one of the region's most ambitious trail projects. This future 42-mile regional trail will ultimately connect Renton to Redmond and Snohomish County. While still under construction, several segments are already connecting riders through Bellevue, Kirkland, and Woodinville. For commuters, the trail connects directly to Sound Transit’s Wilburton Station on the 2 Line, making it a practical bike-to-transit option on the Eastside.

The Northup Connector links the Eastrail directly to the 520 Trail Corridor in Bellevue, meaning you can ride from Kirkland all the way to Seattle without leaving the trail network.  

And the trail is only getting better. Several major projects are in the works that will dramatically expand what’s possible on the Eastrail. The historic 120-year-old Wilburton Trestle is being converted to an 18-foot-wide elevated trail with three viewing platforms facing both east and west, and is targeted to open in mid-2027. A 1.7 mile I-90 Bridge Trail Segment is also in design, which will retrofit the existing steel bridge over fourteen lanes of I-90 and close the final southern gap of Eastrail. Further north, Snohomish County has begun planning Centennial Trail South, the last 12 miles of the Centennial Trail that will eventually connect the Eastrail to the Skagit County line. The Eastrail’s best days are still ahead.  

The SR-520 Trail  

The 9.9-mile SR-520 Trail across Lake Washington connects Montlake (Seattle) to Medina (Eastside), with 11 viewpoints along the bridge that offers breathtaking views of our region. It’s one of the most scenic commuter routes and a thrill to ride. At the Eastside section, it connects Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland through Eastrail, via the Northup Connector. If you’re commuting or riding between Seattle and the Eastside, this is the trail for you.  

The East Lake Sammamish Trail

The East Lake Sammamish Trail runs 11.5 miles through Issaquah, Sammamish, and Redmond. This fully paved trail is a key part of the 44-mile Locks to Lake Corridor, that connects Ballard to the Eastside and the Cascade foothills. In mornings and late afternoons, this trail acts as a commuter corridor, carrying bicycle commuters between employment centers. Class I and II e-bikes and electric scooters are permitted, but it is ofted used by recreational bicyclists as well.  

The Sammamish River Trail

The Sammamish River Trail runs 10.1 miles along the Sammamish River from Bothell to Marymoor Park in Redmond, paved its entire length and one of King County's most popular regional trails. It's flat, wide, and approachable for riders of all experience levels, and it doubles as a busy commuter corridor connecting Redmond, Woodinville, and Bothell. As a part of the Locks to Lack Corridor, it connects directly with the East Lake Sammamish Trail, creating a continuous paved route.

The I-90 Trail

The I-90 Trail is an 8.8-mile route from Seattle to Bellevue that takes you across Lake Washington on the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge, riding alongside the 2 Line lighrail. It’s part of the larger Mountains to Sound Greenway, a 100-mile corridor along I-90 stretching from the Seattle waterfront all the way to Ellensburg in Central Washington. For Bellevue commuters, the City of Bellevue is actively building out segments to close gaps across our region, making the east-west connection even more seamless in the years ahead.  

Ready to Ride? Earn Rewards!

The Eastside trail network gives riders real options. Every bike trip to, from, and around Bellevue is eligible for the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards program. Log your sustainable trips and earn rewards like local gift cards just for commuting the way you already want to.

These rewards include:  

• Log 16 non-drive-alone trips (8 round-trips) and earn a $10 local coffee shop gift card while supplies last.
• Log 20 non-drive-alone trips (10 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $50 local grocery store gift card.
• Log 30 non-drive-alone trips (15 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $150 local restaurant gift card. 

May is Bike Everywhere Month and there’s never been a better time to get on your bike and head to work. Biking isn’t just good for the planet. It turns out it’s good for your wallet, your heart, and your mental health too.  

Biking Is One of the Most Powerful Things You Can Do for the Environment

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, accounting for 28% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, which is more than any other sector. The biggest driver of that? Personal light-duty vehicles like passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. Biking is one of the most direct ways to cut your personal transportation emissions to nearly nothing.

According to research from the University of Oxford, switching just one trip per day from car driving to cycling reduces your carbon footprint by about 0.5 tons over a year, which is a substantial share of average per capita emissions. You don't have to go car-free to make a difference. Even swapping your commute a few days a week adds up fast.

Over the long run, biking produces up to 30 times fewer greenhouse gas emissions per commuter than driving a typical gas-powered car, and that figure includes bike production and maintenance.

Biking Has Great Health Benefits

Think of your bike commute as a workout you're already doing anyway. The research backs this up in a big way. A landmark 18-year study published in BMJ Public Health tracked over 82,000 commuters in Scotland and found that, compared to non-active commuters, cyclists had significantly lower risks of death from all causes, hospitalization for any reason, and hospitalization or medication for cardiovascular disease.

The mental health benefits are real too. According to the 2024 Seattle Commute Survey, conducted in partnership with the University of Washington, bike commuters reported the highest commute satisfaction of any mode (+33 NPS). Drive-alone commuters reported the lowest (-43 NPS). The survey used a Net Promoter Score (NPS) to measure how likely commuters were to recommend their mode to others, and the gap between cyclists and drivers was striking.

Biking Is Extremely Cost Effective

Car ownership is expensive. As of 2025, AAA estimates that the total cost of owning and operating a vehicle at $11,577 a year. Biking has minimal annual costs, reducing that number significantly. Routine maintenance like tire tubes, brake pads, and the occasional tune-up add up to relatively little, and an e-bike's electricity costs are nearly negligible. According to a survey by eBikes.org, bike commuters reported saving an average of $48 per week by not driving to work, adding up to nearly $2,500 a year.

What That Looks Like in Bellevue

The Eastside has a growing network of trails that make bike commuting accessible. The Eastrail, the SR-520 Trail, the East Lake Sammamish Trail, Sammamish River Trail, and the I-90 Trail all offer traffic-separated routes connecting major employment corridors across Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Issaquah. And with the 2 Line now open across the lake, bike-to-transit connections have never been more practical. Ride to a station, hop on the train, and park your bikes at a bike locker available at most transit stations across the region. You can also load your bike onto any King County Metro and Sound Transit bus, and let transit carry you the rest of the way.

Not ready to go all-in? You don't have to. Even biking a couple of days a week counts toward real health gains, real savings, and real emissions reductions.

How Choose Your Way Bellevue Can Help

Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards Program

Every bike trip in/out and around Bellevue counts toward your Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards program. Log your rides at bit.ly/cywbtriplog and earn local gift cards just for commuting sustainably.

• Log 16 non-drive-alone trips (8 round-trips) and earn a $10 local coffee shop gift card while supplies last.
• Log 20 non-drive-alone trips (10 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $50 local grocery store gift card.
• Log 30 non-drive-alone trips (15 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $150 local restaurant gift card.

Business Resources

If you're an employer looking to support your team's commute choices, we have free resources including commute program consultations, ORCA Starter Cards, transit pass rebates, Mini Grants, and more. Reach out to us at info@cywb.org to get started.

E-Bike Rebates: Two Programs to Know About

Thinking about getting an e-bike? May is a great time to explore two active rebate programs available to Eastside residents.

The WE-Bike Rebate Program is open to Washington residents ages 16 and up and offers rebates of $300 or $1,200 depending on income eligibility. Applications are accepted through March 2027, with monthly selections already underway. Apply at ebikerebate.wsdot-sites.com.

The Pedal Forward Eastside program is coming this summer, offering residents of Bellevue, Redmond, and Issaquah up to $2,000 off the purchase of a new e-bike at a local bike shop. Applications will open in the summer. Fill out the interest form now to be notified when it opens.

This Bike Everywhere Month, Give it a Try

In Bellevue, you have the infrastructure, the incentives, and the rewards to make biking to work more doable than ever. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or someone who hasn't ridden since childhood, Bike Everywhere Month is the perfect time to give it a try. All you have to do is get on the bike.

May is Bike Everywhere Month, and Bellevue has a full lineup of events, challenges, and classes to help you get rolling. Whether you’re an avid rider, or just thinking about giving biking a try, there’s something for everyone this month. Here’s what you need to know.  

Join the Bike Everywhere Challenge

The Bike Everywhere Challenge is Washington Bikes' month-long friendly competition, running all of May (05/01 - 05/31). Create a team of up to ten people, log your miles, and earn prizes for racking up miles on your bike. There are also special side quests throughout the month with chances to earn additional prizes!

Trip logging is simple. You can enter trips manually or sync your Strava account to log automatically. The app also offers real-time GPS tracking so you can start and stop a trip right from your phone. As you ride, you'll see live stats on gas money saved, carbon emissions avoided, and calories burned. Download the WA Bikes app on the App Store or Google Play, or sign up at bikechallenge.wabikes.org.

Whether you're a daily bike commuter or just getting started, the Challenge is a great way to motivate yourself, bring people along, and make May count.

Play Bike Bingo

Throughout May, Choose Your Way Bellevue is hosting a bike scavenger hunt and bingo game with chances to win $25 Gregg's Cycle gift cards.  

When you spot or complete five in a row (any direction), email the images of each one with your crossed off bingo card to info@cywb.org for a chance to earn a $25 Gregg’s Cycle gift card! Bingo play is from May 1-31 and your card and photos must be turned in by June 3, 2026.

Download and print the Bike Everywhere Month Bingo Card.

Celebrate Bike Everywhere Day on May 13, from 7:00 – 10:00 a.m.

The biggest day of the month is Wednesday, May 13. Cascade Bicycle Club hosts Celebration Stations across the Puget Sound, and Choose Your Way Bellevue will be out in the community. Stop by the Choose Your Way Bellevue station at the SR 520 Trail or the Connect Bellevue station at the I-90 Trail from 7:00–10:00 a.m. Come say hi, grab some goodies, and kick off your Bike Everywhere Day right.

Learn to Ride Smarter: Cascade Bicycle Club Classes

On Friday, May 29, Cascade Bicycle Club is hosting two free classes at the Bellevue Downtown Library (Room 1). This is perfect for anyone looking to build confidence on the bike.

Introduction to Commuting (11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)

This class covers the basics of biking for commuting and utility trips. This is a presentation only, with one instructor and a demonstration bike.

Topics include:

• Selecting a bicycle and making basic fit adjustments
• Riding safely and comfortably
• Planning your bike route
• Clothing, helmets, and gear

Maintenance for Every Commuter (12:30 – 1:30 p.m.)

This class is an overview of the basics of everyday bike maintenance. In this class you will learn about inspecting and repairing tires and tubes, braking and shifting systems, and how to perform routine maintenance on those systems. This is a presentation only, with one instructor and a demonstration bike.

Topics include:

• Assessing the condition of your tires
• Removing the tire from the rim and reinstallation
• Locating and repairing the puncture
• Tools to carry in your fix-kit
• Inspecting and inflating your tire
• Cleaning and lubing your chain

Register today to secure your spot!

E-Bike Rebates: Two Programs to Know About

Thinking about getting an e-bike? May is a great time to explore two active rebate programs available to Eastside residents.

The WE-Bike Rebate Program is open to Washington residents ages 16 and up and offers rebates of $300 or $1,200 depending on income eligibility. Applications are accepted through March 2027, with monthly selections already underway. Apply at ebikerebate.wsdot-sites.com.

The Pedal Forward Eastside program is coming this summer, offering residents of Bellevue, Redmond, and Issaquah up to $2,000 off the purchase of a new e-bike at a local bike shop. Applications will open in the summer. Fill out the interest form now to be notified when it opens.

Make It Count with Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards

All year long, every bike trip you log through the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards program can count towards rewards like local gift cards. And it's not just biking. You can also log other sustainable non-drive-alone trips including transit, walking, carpooling, and vanpooling. Every trip counts.

These rewards include:  

• Log 16 non-drive-alone trips (8 round-trips) and earn a $10 local coffee shop gift card while supplies last.
• Log 20 non-drive-alone trips (10 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $50 local grocery store gift card.
• Log 30 non-drive-alone trips (15 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $150 local restaurant gift card.

April is Earth Month, and if you’re looking for a meaningful way to reduce your carbon footprint, taking sustainable non-drive-alone trips might be the best way to do so.  

Transportation is America’s Biggest Greenhouse Gas Contributor

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emission in the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation accounted for 28% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, which is more than any other sector. And the biggest “driver” of that? Light-duty vehicles (57%), which consists of personal vehicles such as passenger cars, SUVs, minivans, and small pickup trucks.  

For most people, daily commute makes up the biggest chunk of our transportation needs. And when that commute means driving alone, the emissions add up fast. The average passenger car emits 0.67 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile driven. Over a year of drive-alone commuting, that’s thousands of pounds of carbon added to the atmosphere by just a single person, in a single car. 

The Financial Cost of Driving Alone

Beyond the environmental cost, driving alone is expensive. According to AAA’s latest study, as of 2025, the cost of owning and operating a car is $11,577 a year. This includes depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and registration. For many households, it's one of the largest monthly expenses after housing, and that's before you factor in time lost to traffic, parking fees, or the stress of a solo commute.  

Compare that to a Puget Pass for your ORCA card, which runs just $108 a month, and that cost could be fully covered by your employer through the ORCA Business Passport program. For many commuters, making the switch to transit can be one of the smartest financial decisions they make. 

Sustainable Transportation Goes Further Than You Think  

Switching your commute, even part of the time, makes a real difference. Choosing public transit from cars can reduce individual carbon emissions by up to 2 tons annually. If public transit isn’t a realistic commute option for you, even carpooling can reduce carbon emissions by up to 1 ton annually.

Walking and biking go even further. Both produce virtually zero emissions and come with a range added health benefits. If your destination is close enough, those trips are some of the highest-impact swaps you can make.  

What This Looks Like in Bellevue

Bellevue has real options. The 2 Line now connects the Eastside to Seattle and beyond. King County Metro routes serve major employment corridors. Vanpools and vanshares are already a widely used commute option in the area, offering a flexible, cost-effective alternative for those whose routes don't align neatly with fixed transit lines. Trails throughout the city make biking and walking possible for many commuters.  

How Choose Your Way Bellevue Can Help

Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards Program

The Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards program can help you make that shift. You can earn rewards like local gift cards just by logging your sustainable non-drive-alone trips, riding transit, carpooling, vanpooling, walking, or biking.

These rewards include:  

• Log 16 non-drive-alone trips (8 round-trips) and earn a $10 local coffee shop gift card while supplies last.
• Log 20 non-drive-alone trips (10 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $50 local grocery store gift card.
• Log 30 non-drive-alone trips (15 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $150 local restaurant gift card.

Employer/Business Resources

If you're an employer, we have business resources to help your team commute smarter too. We offer free resources including commute program consultations, ORCA Starter Cards, transit pass rebates, Mini Grants, and more.

This Earth Month, Start with Your Commute

Climate action can feel overwhelming, but the commute is one place where individual choices really add up. And in Bellevue, you now have the routes, the resouces, and the rewards that make the switch easier than ever.  

If you’ve recently moved to Bellevue, started a new job, or began taking classes in the area, welcome! Getting to know a new city takes time, from finding your new favorite coffee shop, discovering local shops, and learning the easiest ways to get around.  

That’s why Choose Your Way Bellevue is hosting New to Bellevue, a series of free sustainable tours to help you explore the city, meet fellow community members, and discover how easy it can be to get around Bellevue without driving alone.  

Our first event will take place on April 4, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and we’d love for you to join us.

What is the New to Bellevue Event?  

The New to Bellevue event is a community gathering created for people who have recently moved to Bellevue, started working here, or begun attending school in the area.  

Participants will:  

• Meet fellow community members who are also new to the city
• Learn about local places, neighborhoods, and community resources
• earn how to get around the city using sustainable transportation
• Experience Bellevue’s arts, culture, and local businesses

The event is all about getting you comfortable navigating Bellevue while meeting others who are doing the same.  

April 4 Event: Coffee, Light Rail, and Local Art

The first New to Bellevue event will being at Bellden Cafe, a welcoming coffee shop in downtown Bellevue.  

Participants will enjoy complimentary coffee and snacks while meeting other community members and learning more about ways to get around the city.  

From there, the group will ride the 2 Line light rail together to the BelRed Arts District, where participants will receive a guided tour of artist studios and creative spaces.  

The artist tour will be led by Sandy Vo, Executive Director of the BelRed Arts District Community Alliance, who will share why this district is one of the region’s most vibrant cultural hubs.  

Your Transit Ride is Covered

To make the experience easy for everyone, Choose Your Way Bellevue will provide each attendee with a pre-loaded ORCA card to cover the cost of the light rail trip, and to help you get started with your very own ORCA card.

Registration Information 

Because this event includes a guided tour and group transit reide, registration is required and space is limited.  

• Register Now!
• Event date: Saturday, April 4, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Meeting location: Bellden Cafe

Discover Your New City

Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming, but events like this are designed to make it easier to feel at home in Bellevue.

We hope you’ll join us for this first New to Bellevue event and start discovering everything the city has to offer. 

Spring in the Pacific Northwest means cherry blossom season is back! As the weather warms and the trees begin to bloom, parks and campuses across the region transform into beautiful pink landscapes.  

The best part? Many of the most scenic cherry blossom spots are easy to reach from Bellevue without driving alone. Whether you take transit, walk, bike, or combine different travel options, these destinations make for a perfect spring outing.  

Here are five great places to see cherry blossoms, and how to get there sustainably from Bellevue.

Bellevue Downtown Park

Located in the heart of the city, Bellevue Downtown Park is one of the easiest places to enjoy cherry blossoms close to home. The park’s open lawns, tree-lined paths, and scenic fountain create a peaceful place to enjoy cherry blossoms right in downtown Bellevue.  

How to Get There

By Light Rail

• Take the 2 Line to Bellevue Downtown Station
• Walk about 10-12 minutes to the park

By Bus

• Many King County Metro and Sound Transit Express routes stop near the park, including: 240, 241, 249, 250, 271, 532, 535, 550, 556, 560, 566

By Foot or Bike

• Downtown Bellevue is highly walkable and bike-friendly, making it an easy stop during lunch breaks or evening strolls.  

Bellevue Botanical Garden

For a quieter and more immersive spring experience, the Bellevue Botanical Garden offers beautiful blooms, peaceful walking trails, and garden landscapes that change with the season.  

How to Get There

By Bus

• The King County Metro 271 bus will take you within ½ mile of the Garden.  

By Bike

• Cycling to the garden is a great option, with bike racks available on-site.  

Meydenbauer Bay Park

Located along the waterfront near Old Bellevue, Meydenbauer Bay Park combines scenic lake views with beautiful spring blossoms.  

How to Get There

By Light Rail  

• Take the 2 Line to Bellevue Downtown Station
• Walk about 15-20 minutes towards the waterfront

By Bus

• Several King County Metro and Sound Transit Express routes stop near the park, including:  271, 550, 556, 535

By Foot or Bike

• Downtown Bellevue is highly walkable and bike-friendly, making it an easy stop if you’re already in the area

University of Washington Quad

The UW Quad is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in the region. Each spring, dozens of Yoshino cherry trees bloom across the historic campus, drawing visitors from all over the Puget Sound area.

This year, estimates suggest that the cherry blossoms will reach “peak bloom” on March 20. Taking transit is often the easiest way to visit during peak bloom, when parking on campus becomes extremely limited.

How to Get There

By Light Rail  

• After the Crosslake Connection opens on March 28, you can take the 2 Line all the way to the University District station, which is a 10-minute walk to the Quad.

By Bus

• Route 271 (about a 6-minute walk to the Quad)

By Bike

• Via the SR 520 trail 

Washington Park Arboretum

If you're looking for a quieter cherry blossom experience, the Washington Park Arboretum offers beautiful views. The park’s winding paths and scenic waterfront areas make it one of the most peaceful places to enjoy spring blooms.

How to Get There

By Bus

• Route 271  

By Bike

• Via the SR 520 trail

Make Your Cherry Blossom Trip Even More Rewarding

If your trip starts or ends in Bellevue, you can log your sustainable non-drive-alone trip with the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards Program.  

Log your non-drive-alone trips, including transit, walking, biking, or carpooling, to earn chances at local rewards.

• Log 30 sustainable trips for a chance to earn a $150 local restaurant gift card
• Log 20 sustainable trips for a chance to earn a $50 local grocery store gift card
• Log 16 sustainable trips to earn a $10 local coffee shop gift card. (while supplies last)  

Logging these trips will help reduce congestion and emissions; while also helping you earn local rewards that support local businesses.    

Enjoy Cherry Blossom Season

Cherry blossom season is one of the most beautiful times of year in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you stay local in Bellevue or take transit across the lake to explore new places, there are plenty of ways to experience the blooms without driving alone.

Grab your camera, enjoy the spring weather, and discover some of the region’s most scenic cherry blossom spots.

This spring will mark a transportation milestone for Bellevue, the Eastside, and the entire Puget Sound region. On March 28, 2026, Sound Transit’s Crosslake Connection will open for passenger service, completing the world’s first light rail crossing a floating bridge.  

This new connection will make it easier to travel between neighborhoods, jobs, schools, and everyday destinations across Lake Washington without driving alone.

Why This Opening Matters for Bellevue

For years, crossing Lake Washington, especially during peak hours, has meant driving and sitting in traffic. The 2 Line Crosslake Connection will offer a reliable, car-free option to travel between the Eastside and Seattle.  

This means:  

• More choices for commuting to work or school
• Easier trips to visit friends, family, and events
• A reliable option when traffic is heavy or unpredictable
• Less stress during peak travel times

Even if you don’t plan to ride every day, having this option available gives you more flexibility in how you get around. 

Know Before You Ride: What to Expect

Here’s what riders can expect when the Crosslake Connection opens.  

Operating Hours:  

Service will run on the 1 (Federal Way and Lynwood) and 2 (Lynwood and Redmond) Lines from:

• Approximately 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday – Saturday,  
• Approximately 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.  

How Often Trains Arrive

The light rails will run approximately every 8 minutes during peak times at the new stations, and 10-15 minutes for the rest of the day. 

Park & Ride Options

If you plan to drive part of the way, several 1 and 2 Line stations offer park-and-rides, including: 

1 Line:

• Lynwood City Center
• Mountlake Terrace
• Shoreline North
• Shoreline South
• Northgate
• Tukwila Int’l Blvd
• Angle Lake
• Kent Des Moines
• Star Lake
• Federal Way Downtown

2 Line:

• Marymoor Village
• Redmond Technology
• BelRed
• South Bellevue

Bikes, Walking, & Accessibility

• Light rail trains are bike-friendly with designated spaces onboard
• Stations are accessible for riders or all ages and abilities
• You can easily combine walking, biking, bus, and rail for one trip.  

New Trips, New Possibilities

For Bellevue residents, workers, and students, this new connection opens up entirely new ways to get around without needing to get in a car. You’ll be able to:  

• Visit Seattle and Bellevue for work or leisure without worrying about driving
• Combine biking or walking with rail for efficient trips

You don’t have to change your routine overnight. Even trying the Crosslake Connection once is a way to experience something new, while contributing to a more sustainable and connected community.  

Log Your Crosslake Connection with Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards Program

Once the Crosslake Connection opens, your light rail rides to or from Bellevue across the lake can count toward the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards program.

Logging these trips will help reduce congestion and emissions; while also helping you earn local rewards that support local businesses.  

• Log 30 sustainable trips for a chance to earn a $150 local restaurant gift card
• Log 20 sustainable trips for a chance to earn a $50 local grocery store gift card
• Log 16 sustainable trips to earn a $10 local coffee shop gift card. (while supplies last)