Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

Be in the know before you go this Labor Day weekend! Check out these handy holiday weekend travel tips from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

>> Click for Labor Day weekend travel tips 

In exactly one week (Friday July 23 – Sunday, July 25) over 500 artists and about 300,000 people will swarm into Bellevue’s city center to experience arts fair weekend. What many people don’t know is that the event actually comprises three separate fairs:  The Bellevue Arts Museum artsfair, The 6th Street Fair and Bellevue Festival of the Arts. Will you be attending this year? If so, do you have your travel plans set? Read on for Choose Your Way Bellevue’s arts fair weekend transportation tips below!

Enjoy the arts and crafts in downtown Bellevue without sitting in traffic! Let Metro or Sound Transit do part of the driving for you. Simply park your car at a nearby park & ride, and then take the bus to a stop near the fair. Or better yet, visit metro.kingcounty.gov to plan your entire trip by bus using the Regional Trip Planner.

Tips for riding transit to downtown Bellevue:

• Carry your exact fare in cash: Bus drivers do not have change. You may pay your fare, and the fare for others traveling with you, using any combination of paper and coin currency. Various transit passes (including ORCA) will also be accepted provided they have a value equal to or greater than the required fare.
• Free fares for children: Up to 4 children ages 5 and under always ride free with a paying adult on Sound Transit and King County Metro buses. On Sundays, up to 4 children ages 18 and under may ride for free on King County Metro routes with an adult paying a $2 fare.
• All buses are wheelchair accessible.
• Return trip to park and ride: Plan ahead by locating the bay where you will wait to catch a bus back to the park and ride, as well as determining when the last bus leaves to get you there. Schedules will be posted at each bay to assist you.

Suggested Park and Ride Options for Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25:
The information below is specific to Saturday/Sunday operations. If you plan to utilize a park & ride lot on Friday you can expect more frequent service, an increased fare and fewer available parking spaces due to heavy commuter use. All suggested routes serve the Bellevue Transit Center for incoming and outgoing trips. For specific bus schedules and more detailed information, please visit metro.kingcounty.gov and enter your preferred route number in the “Get a Timetable” box in the upper right corner. For Sound Transit routes (535, 550 and 560) visit soundtransit.org.

If you have additional questions about arts fair weekend and getting there, please post a comment to the blog below. We’ll do our best to provide an answer as soon as possible. Plan ahead and enjoy the art!

Declare independence from roadway delays this 4th of July weekend by knowing about the traffic conditions before you go. For up to date travel information, use WSDOT’s online travel alerts or their 24-hour traveler information line, 5-1-1.

WSDOT says that drivers can expect to see more traffic on the region’s highways this weekend, with peak travel times from noon to 9 p.m. Friday and early Saturday. Monday afternoon travel back into the Puget Sound area will peak just before noon and continue into late evening. Work at most construction projects around the state will move off the highway from noon Friday until Tuesday morning.

Also be aware that some of Bellevue’s downtown streets will be closed Sunday evening to accommodate Symetra Bellevue Family 4th event traffic. The street closures will start at 9:30 p.m. and will reopen at 10:05 p.m. Link to an article posted on the Seattle Times Bellevue Blog to learn more.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend!

Summer is here—at least according to the calendar—and the city of Bellevue offers plenty of ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Jump on board with the Bellevue Downtown Association’s Walk Downtown Bellevue program. The 10-week campaign runs June 22 to September 2 and encourages getting out and exploring the city, reducing downtown car trips and establishing healthy habits. This year’s challenge is to walk 10,000 steps a day for 10 weeks! Think you can do it? Read below to learn how you can sign and pick up your free Starter Kit!

Walk Downtown Bellevue
The first 1,000 Walk Downtown Bellevue participants will receive a free Starter Kit, including an Overlake Hospital pedometer, a walking map, a DavidBartonGym at The Bravern water bottle and a reusable BECU shopping bag.

Sign-up/Starter Kit Locations:

Track your steps and get walking tips at bellevuedowntown.com/walk.  The overall step count will be announced at the Live at Lunch Concert on September 2.  And be on the lookout for the “Walk Downtown Bellevue Prize Patrol”. They will be handing out prizes to walkers who show their pedometer at select concerts.  For a complete Live at Lunch concert schedule, visit bellevuedowntown.org/events/liveatlunch.

Bellwether 2010: Art Walk Bellevue
Take the walk and see the art! This year the Bellevue Sculpture Exhibition has gone outside its traditional boundaries of City Hall and Downtown Park to include art installments all throughout Downtown. The new three-quarter-mile “art walk” features 26 art works and begins at Bellevue City Hall. The route continues on the pedestrian corridor along NE 6th Street to Bellevue Way NE and finishes in Downtown Park. An opening celebration for the exhibit will be held on Saturday, June 26 at 6 p.m. at Bellevue City Hall. Pick up a Bellwether 2010 art guide at City Hall’s Service First Desk.

More info can be found at www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/bellwether2010.htm.

Now that longer days, warmer temperatures and fresher air have arrived, many of us are searching for fun ways to get out and enjoy the nice weather.  I have decided I am going to take advantage of the time during my commute by biking to and from work.  Biking to work seems like a great way to get out and enjoy the sunny weather while at the same time avoiding traffic and the stress of congestion!  Since I have never tried bike commuting before, I am going to challenge myself during May, Bike to Work Month, to see if I can bike to work at least once a week. 

To help me get ready to ride, I am planning to take part in the following events leading up to and during Bike to Work Month:

APRIL 6, COMMUTER CONNECTION FREE BICYCLE REPAIR DAY: I can take my bike into Commuter Connection, located at the Rider Services Center at the Bellevue Transit Center, on April 6^th from 8:30am to 5:00pm to receive small repairs such as a flat tire fix or a brake adjustment for free.

APRIL 28, INTRODUCTION TO BICYCLE COMMUTING CLASS: Cascade Bicycle Club and the City of Bellevue will be hosting a free Introduction to Bicycle Commuting Class on April 28, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in City Hall room 1E-113. At the class, I can learn the basics of bicycle commuting directly from the experts!

MAY 21, BIKE TO WORK DAY: The official Bike to Work Day is May 21^stand Choose Your Way Bellevue is hosting Downtown Bellevue’s Commute Station at Commuter Connection from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.  I can stop by on my bike for coffee, snacks and give-aways.

Any other bikers out there have suggestions of steps I can take to get started?  Any stories you want to share?

Check back in throughout April and May to see how I am doing.

-Caryn

-Jordan

Bellevue Magic Season and other holiday events are now in full swing. This season, enjoy all the holiday fun without the hassle of sitting in traffic or searching for parking. Take one of 24 Metro and Sound Transit bus routes that pass through the Bellevue Transit Center from locations near and far—Redmond, Everett, Issaquah and Kirkland just to name a few. Most Bellevue Magic Season venues are accessible by bus and a walk of 0.3 miles or less, so get on board and let getting here be part of the adventure. Plan your own excursion using ChooseYourWayBellevue.org or the regional trip planner at http://transit.metrokc.gov.

Also follow these easy travel tips to spend more time enjoying the holiday sights, sounds and celebrations in Downtown Bellevue.

TRY THE NE 4TH STREET EXIT: Driving to the Bellevue Collection? You may save time by skipping NE 8th Street. NE 2nd and NE 10th will help you bypass backups as well. And, if you’re coming from the east side of Bellevue, try the new NE 10th Street overpass bridge.

RIGHT TURN STRATEGY: If The Bravern is your destination, make a right turn into garage entrances on 110th Avenue NE, NE 8th Street or 112th Avenue NE. If you’re traveling west on NE 8th, you can legally make a U-turn at the 110th Avenue NE intersection to get going in the “right” direction.

2+ PEOPLE: Arriving with friends or family in your car? Take advantage of the direct access ramp at NE 6th Street, as well as HOV lanes on I-405, I-90 and parts of SR-520.

ON-STREET PARKING: Park steps from the doors of your favorite shops in Old Bellevue for up to two hours.

WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS: With so much going on downtown, even more people will be out and about on foot. Please use caution when making turns.

TRANSIT:Try the bus. Metro and Sound Transit provide many routes to the Downtown Bellevue Transit Center. Route and schedule information is available at metro.kingcounty.gov and soundtransit.org.

Have a holiday travel idea to share with other Choose Your Way Bellevue readers? Click on the “Add a Comment” link below this post to share your tip!

-Jordan

In recognition of International Walk to School Month we thought we would provide Choose Your Way Bellevue reader’s with a list of online resources to help you jump on the bandwagon of walking to school! Check out the links below, then talk with your children, friends, co-workers or schoolmates about starting up a walking (or biking) program at your own school!

• Official Website of International Walk to School Month
• Walking School Bus
• School Programs with Feet First: A local organization with the mission of building walkable communities
• Washington State Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program

-Jordan

Hey bicyclists―check out this “don’t miss” event! The City of Bellevue and Cascade Bicycle Club are presenting the Bicycle Maintenance Series during the month of November. Become a master of bicycle repairs and
start saving time and money!
Here are the details:

Cascade Bicycle Club professionals will teach the intricacies of bicycle mechanics and train participants to tackle all repairs efficiently on their own. Taught in a three-part series. Pick the course you need, or enroll in all three at a discount price. Necessary supplies and helpful handouts provided. Ages 15 and up only please. Enroll in all three courses for $120 and save! For more info and to RSVP visit www.MyParksAndRecreation.com or call 425-452-6885.

Fix a Flat
Monday, November 2, 6:30-9:00 p.m. $45
Learn basic maintenance techniques, including efficient flat tire repairs and everyday adjustments.

Chains and Derailleurs
Monday, November 16, 6:30-9:00 p.m. $45
Sync up those squeaky gears and bring your bike up to speed. This course will focus on the mechanics of shifting and turn you into a gear repair expert.

Brakes
Monday, November 23, 6:30-9:00 p.m. $45
Coaster? Disk? Pad? Don’t let technical braking mechanics keep you from obtaining premium braking power and safety. This course will focus on repairing braking systems so they are as strong and quite as when you bought the bike!

-Jordan

For most businesses, reducing expenses and providing additional employee benefits do not go hand in hand. However, many Downtown Bellevue companies are learning that offering employees various commute options can actually save them money. Employee parking is often a major cost of doing business; however with the addition of commute benefits, such as transit pass programs, companies can better manage and maintain their parking programs.

To learn more about how your company can save money with commute benefits attend the upcoming Commute Advantage Workshops that will be held on Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28. Both workshops will be at 2:00p.m. in the TransManage office at 500 108th Avenue NE, Suite 210. Please RSVP to caryn@bellevuedowntown.org or 425-453-0644.

-Caryn

Riding the bus and saving energy go hand in hand! On Wednesday October 7, beginning at 7 a.m., Puget Sound Energy will give away energy-saving compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to Sound Transit bus riders.

A magician will also be on hand at the transit center to entertain the Wednesday morning commuters. The magician will then ride the 564/565 Sound Transit routes through South King County, giving free CFL bulbs to bus passengers and at the Renton, Kent, and Auburn stations.

If you can’t make it Wednesday morning, or don’t ride the bus, don’t worry!  PSE customers can exchange up to 10 incandescent bulbs for free CFL bulbs at the remaining weekend Rock the Bulb events:

• Oct. 10-11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Auburn Lowe’s (1232 A Street N.E.)
• Oct. 17-18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Puyallup Lowe’s (301 27th Ave S.E.)
• Oct. 24-25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Lacey Lowe’s (5610 Corp Center Lane S.)
• Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.: Olympia Lowe’s (4230 Martin Way East)

-Jordan

Photo Credit: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com

The festive Blue Angels show is upon us. So to ensure to a worry-free Seafair weekend, make sure to plan ahead for the annual I-90 closures across Lake Washington. WSDOT will close all lanes of I-90 between I-5 and Island Crest Way for the following times between Thursday, July 30 and Sunday, August 2:

Date                                         I-90 Bridge Closures

Thursday, July 30                       9:45am-12pm &1:15 pm-2:30pm

Friday, July 31                           12:45pm-2:40pm

Saturday, August 1                    12:45pm-2:40pm           

Sunday, August 2                      12:45pm-2:40pm

The Island Crest Way and East Mercer Way exits will remain open however drivers, bus riders and bicyclists should be expectant of heavy congestion during and around the closure times.

If you still plan to cross Lake Washington via I-90, plan to get to the bridge an hour ahead of the closure time. As an alternative, The SR 520 bridge will be open to traffic during closures.

For additional information, please visit the WSDOT site: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2009/07/28_SeaFairBlueAngels.htm

Join TransManage every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday beginning July 7 at the Bellevue Downtown Association’s summer concert series, Live at Lunch. Bring your lunch and stop by the TransManage table to learn how to have a stress-free summer commute. For a list of what TransManage will be featuring each week, visit our events calendar!