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If you’re new to Bellevue or just looking to explore more in the new year, welcome!  Whether you’ve recently moved here, started a new job, or begun classes, January is a great time to explore the city and settle into a new routine.  

In 2026, the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards Program is going local, making it easier to support local businesses while choosing sustainable ways to get around Bellevue.  

What is Choose Your Way Bellevue?

Choose Your Way Bellevue is a program of the City of Bellevue that encourages and supports residents, workers, students, and visitors to use sustainable, non-drive-alone transportation options like transit, walking, biking, carpooling, and vanpooling.  

The CYWB Rewards Program lets you earn rewards for logging your non-drive-alone trips, whether you’re heading to work, grabbing coffee, running errands, or meeting friends. 

What’s New In 2026?  

Choose Your Way Bellevue is shifting to a local-first reward system. Instead of generic gift cards, rewards are now designed to help you discover and support local Bellevue businesses.

This year, log local trips to earn local rewards that help you explore Bellevue even more!

How the New Reward Structure Works

Here’s what the updated CYWB Rewards Program looks like in 2026:

• 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)

Trips reset each month, giving you a chance to earn rewards regularly just by getting around Bellevue sustainably.  

What Counts as a Trip?  

A trip is any non-drive-alone journey that starts or ends in Bellevue. This includes transit, carpool, vanpool, walking, or biking.

Trips can be short or long, part of your daily routine, or something new you’re trying out. If you’re getting around Bellevue without driving alone, it counts.

Everyday Trips That Add Up

You don’t have to change your entire routine to participate. Many of the trips you already take can count towards rewards:

• A coffee run before work
• Your daily commute to work
• A grocery store trip  
• Walking to lunch or happy hour  
• Taking transit to meet friends downtown

These everyday trips help you explore Bellevue one stop, one walk, or one ride at a time.  

How to Get Started.  

1. Sign up and create your profile on the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards page.  
2. Select “Log Trips” from the Quick Links Dashboard
3. Find sustainable alternatives to driving alone such as riding transit, carpooling, vanpooling, walking or biking.  
4. Log your non-drive-alone trips to start earning rewards.  

Please note: Backlogging trips are not allowed. You must begin logging the day you create the account.  

Local Trips. Local Rewards.  

In 2026, Choose Your Way Bellevue invites you to explore the city through local trips and local rewards. Your everyday choices help reduce congestion, support local businesses, and make Bellevue a more connected place to live, work, and visit.  

The holiday season on the Eastside is full of festive lights, events, and shopping! The 2 Line is the easier, most stress-free way to experience it all.

Skip the parking stress, avoid the holiday rush, and let the light rail connect you to the festivities across the 2 Line. 

Downtown Bellevue: Ride to Bellevue Downtown Station

Hop off at Bellevue Downtown Station and step right into the heart of Bellevue.  

What you can reach quickly:

• Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink (Bellevue Downtown Park)
• Snowflake Lane
• Old Bellevue
• Garden d’ Lights (Bellevue Botanical Garden)

Walk or request a free ride with Bellhop, Bellevue’s all-electric on-demand shuttle, to make holiday adventures even easier.  

Why take the 2 Line here? 

• Avoid holiday traffic and parking delays
• Easy access to shopping and dining options
• Perfect for festive evenings and family outings  

Redmond Lights: Ride to Downtown Redmond Station

Take the 2 Line to Downtown Redmond station, where you’re just steps away from Redmond Lights! 

About Redmond Lights:

Redmond Lights is a free month-long celebration from December 6, 2025 to January 5, 2026. Enjoy nightly light installations from 5 to 11 PM in both Downtown Park and Esterra Park.  

Downtown Park is roughly an 8-minute walk (0.3 miles) from Downtown Redmond station, while Esterra Park is roughly a 6-minute walk (0.2 miles) from Overlake Village station.

Why the 2 Line is perfect for Redmond Lights:

• No need to drive and hunt for parking during the holiday rush.
• Safe, comfortable evening travel.
• Great for couples, families, friends, and even solo riders!  

BelRed Arts District: Ride to BelRed station

Between Bellevue and Redmond, the BelRed station stops in the heart of the BelRed Arts District, the highest concentration of arts and culture businesses, organizations and artists in Bellevue and the greater Eastside.

Explore over 60+ creative organizations in the area encompassing Architecture & Design, Dance, Gaming, Martial Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and many more!  

Why stop here?

• Discover and support local artists, makers, and creative spaces
• Perfect addition to your holiday adventures between Bellevue and Redmond
• Great selection of food, drinks, and creative activities 

Log Your Light Rail Trips for Holiday Rewards

Log your trips on the 2 Line to earn rewards through the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards program!

Every eligible trip by transit, carpool, vanpool, walking, or biking can help you earn rewards all season long.  

The Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards Program is getting a major update in January 2026. Before the update launches, make sure to log all remaining non-drive-alone trips by 12/31/2025 to lock in your current rewards!   

Celebrate the Holidays Sustainably

This December, let the 2 Line be your connection to:

• Festive lights and holiday events
• Local art and creativity
• The best shopping and dining on the Eastside

Travel stress-free, skip the parking hassle, reduce congestion, and enjoy the magic of the season! 

Holiday shopping season is here, and so is the traffic that comes with it. Luckily, Bellevue offers plenty of sustainable car-free ways to get to your favorite shopping destinations without worrying about parking, traffic, or the holiday rush.  

Taking transit, walking, biking, or using Bellhop can make your holiday errands easier and more sustainable.

Take the Bus to Bellevue’s Biggest Shopping Spots

Bellevue’s bus system makes it easy to reach shopping districts from neighborhoods across the Eastside.  

Routes Serving Bellevue Include:  

203, 240, 241, 245, 249, 250, 271, B line, 550, 556, 560, and more.  

Use the King County Trip Planner or your favorite app (like Google Maps or One Bus Away) to plan your trip!

Benefits of Riding the Bus:  

• Avoid the traffic and parking hassle.  
• Quick and reliable routes to shopping hubs.  
• Warm and dry rides during cold winter weather.  

Ride the 2 Line to Shop Stress-Free

The 2 Line from Bellevue to Redmond is a 6.5-mile segment that includes ten stations in Bellevue and Redmond.  

2 Line trains run every 10 minutes between South Bellevue and Downtown Redmond, with service running from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week. It offers fast, reliable service straight to Downtown Bellevue!

Why Take the 2 Line for Holiday Shopping?

• Stations drop you in the heart of Downtown Bellevue, and other shopping hubs like Downtown Redmond.  
• Bike Friendly! Bring your bike on the train for the first or last mile of your shopping trip.  
• Frequent service every 10 minutes means that you have the flexibility to leave whenever you want, without having to wait too long for another train to arrive.  
• Skip the traffic and parking hassle!
• Free parking is available at Marymoor Village, Redmond Technology, BelRed, and South Bellevue stations. 

Use Bellhop for the Last Mile

Skip the stress of finding parking during peak shopping hours. Bellhop, Bellevue’s free electric on-demand shuttle connects you to key downtown destinations.  

Bellhop is perfect for quick trips between stores and getting to or from the 2 Line and Bellevue Square.

Download the Circuit app, hail a ride, and a driver will confirm they’re on the way. Please expect wait times of at least 10 minutes, as drivers pick up and drop off other passengers on the way. 

Walk Between Shopping Destinations

Many of Downtown Bellevue’s holiday shopping areas are located close together, making walking one of the easiest ways to navigate the city.

Did you know?  

Bellevue has been designated a Silver Walk Friendly Community by Walk Friendly Communities, and received a walk score of 94, assigning Downtown Bellevue as a Walkers Paradise. 

Bike-Friendly Routes  

Bellevue’s growing network of bike lanes makes it easy to reach downtown shops.  

Check out the 2020 Bike Map [PDF], featuring citywide and detail maps, safety tips, helmet fitting tips, and updated tools and resources. (New 2026 Bike Map is on the way!)

Bike Parking

You’ll find bike racks located throughout Downtown Bellevue for easy parking near shopping areas. Secure on-demand bike lockers are also available at every light rail station!  

Multimodal Transportation

Bring your bike on the light rail and the bus for easy first-and-late-mile connections. Every Sound Transit light rail includes dedicated spaces for bikes. All King County and Sound Transit Express buses are also equipped with front-mounted bike racks that can hold up to two bikes. 

Log Your Car-Free Shopping Trips for Rewards

Make sure to log your sustainable non-drive-alone holiday shopping trips with the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards program.  Every eligible trip by transit, carpool, vanpool, walking, or biking can go towards rewards like gift cards.  

The Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards Program is getting a major update in January 2026. Before the update launches, make sure to log all remaining non-drive-alone trips by 12/31/2025 to lock in your current rewards!

Turn your holiday shopping into a chance to give yourself a gift, too!  

Cold mornings, darker evenings, and wet weather are officially here, but that doesn’t mean your commutes have to be uncomfortable. With these tips, riding transit, biking, walking, carpooling, or vanpooling can stay safe, warm, and stress-free all season long.  

Whether you’re heading to work in Downtown Bellevue, catching the bus to school, or walking to dinner with friends, here’s your guide to winter-ready, sustainable commuting.  

Layer Up for Transit Rides!  

When the temperature drops, layering makes all the difference, especially when waiting at bus stops or walking between transfers. The key is simple layering, using items you may already own:

Start with a base insulative layer, such as wool, that can trap warm air near your body

Next, a mid-layer for warming, such as a fleece, that can build layers of warm air

Finally, an outer layer that is rainproof and windproof, to protect you from the elements

Accessories like a hat, gloves, scarf, or a neck gaiter make a big difference in keeping heat in and the cold out. You don’t need new specialized gear, just warm, weather-resistant clothing that helps you enjoy your colder commutes! 

Stay Dry with Waterproof Gear

Bellevue winters mean rain, and lots of it. Staying dry keeps you warm, comfortable, and safe. This includes rain jackets, umbrellas, waterproof backpacks, water-resistant shoes, waterproof gloves and socks, and thermal layers!

Be Seen in the Dark

With sunsets arriving earlier and sunrise later, visibility is one of the most important parts of safe commuting.

Improve your visibility by using:

• Front + rear bike lights
• Reflective vest or backpacks
• Light-colored outerwear

You could also consider sticking to streets with plenty of streetlights to ensure you are visible to drivers!  

Join the Bellevue After Dark Commute Challenge 

Your trips around Bellevue can earn you rewards! Bellevue After Dark, a month-long commuter challenge from Nov. 15-Dec. 15, 2025, encourages you to explore Bellevue’s vibrant after-dark activities using sustainable transportation. 

How It Works:  

1. Sign up for the challenge at bit.ly/Bellevueafterdark  
2. Log your non-drive-alone trips each day for a chance to earn rewards. Log at least 14 trips from Nov 15-Dec 15 and you will have a chance to receive a 10 pack of tickets to the Downtown Bellevue Ice Rink ($220 value) or log at least 10 trips and have a chance to receive a pack of 5 tickets to the Garden d’ Lights ($50 value)!  bit.ly/cywbtriplog 
3. You must first sign up for the challenge at bit.ly/Bellevueafterdark and log your trips bit.ly/cywbtriplog for a chance to win. Winners will be announced on December 19 on our social media channels. Instagram: @ChooseUrWayBell or Facebook: @ChooseYourWayBellevue 

The holidays are right around the corner, and one of Bellevue’s most beloved winter traditions is back: the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink! Located at Bellevue Downtown Park, the rink offers a magical setting to skate surrounded by the city lights.  

Whether you’re meeting friends, planning a family outing, or heading downtown for a date night, you can make your trip part of a more sustainable Bellevue.  

Getting to the Ice Rink Sustainably

Skip the parking hassle and holiday traffic by taking a sustainable ride to the rink! Bellevue offers plenty of ways to get there easily and affordably:  

By Bus:

Several King County Metro and Sound Transit Express routes stop within a short walk of Bellevue Downtown Park, including: 240, 241, 249, 250, 271, 532, 535, 550, 556, 560, 566

Bus routes are subject to change due to road closures and congestion from Snowflake Lane (between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th Street). Please check King County Service Advisories before traveling.

Use the King County Trip Planner or your favorite app (like Google Maps or One Bus Away) to plan your trip! 

By Light Rail  

Hop on the 2 Line and stop at the Bellevue Downtown light rail station! The Ice Rink is only a 12-minute walk, or a free Bellhop ride away from the station.

Standard adult fare is $3.00, with several reduced fare transit cards available for eligible riders. Free parking is also available at several stations for those coming from further away!

Use the King County Trip Planner or your favorite app (like Google Maps or One Bus Away) to plan your trip! 

By Bellhop

Avoid parking during the holiday rush with Bellhop, Bellevue’s free, all-electric, on-demand shuttle service!  

Download the Circuit app, hail a ride, and a driver will confirm they’re on the way. Expect wait times of at least 10 minutes, as drivers pick up and drop off other passengers on the way. 

By Foot

Walking to the rink is one of the easiest ways to enjoy downtown holiday lights while reducing congestion and emissions!  

Walk through the Grand Connection Pedestrian Corridor, a scenic, pedestrian-friendly route connecting the Downtown Bellevue Station to the Ice Rink!

By Bike

Bike-friendly routes, bike racks, and secured bike lockers are available throughout Bellevue!  

Check out the 2020 Bike Map [PDF], featuring updated citywide and detailed maps, safety tips, helmet fitting tips, and updated tools and resources.

Bring your bike on the light rail and the bus! Every Sound Transit train, King County Metro bus, and Sound Transit Express bus has dedicated spaces for bikes. 

Join the Bellevue After Dark Commute Challenge