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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)   

This February, the Bellevue Collection is hosting a series of Lunar New Year events featuring performances, activities, and family-friendly experiences.  

If you’re planning to attend, getting there doesn’t have to mean sitting in traffic or searching for parking. Taking transit, walking, biking, or even using Bellhop, makes it easier to focus on the celebration without stressing about the commute.  

Lunar New Year at The Bellevue Collection

Throughout February, The Bellevue Collection will host Lunar New Year celebrations at Bellevue Square, including live performances, interactive activities, and cultural displays.  

Whether you’re attending a performance, meeting friends for dinner, or shopping before or after the festivities, downtown Bellevue is easy to reach without a car.

Learn more about events and schedules here:  

https://bellevuecollection.com/lunarnewyear/ 

Getting to The Bellevue Collection Without Driving Alone

Take the Bus

Multiple King County Metro and Sound Transit routes stop within a short walk of The Bellevue Collection, making transit one of the most convenient options — especially during busy event times.

Popular routes serving Downtown Bellevue include:

• 240, 240, 249, 250, 271
• RapidRide B Line
• 550, 552, 535

Plan your trip through Google Maps, One Bus Away, and the King County Metro Trip Planner!

Ride the 2 Line

The 2 Line light rail makes getting to downtown simple and reliable.

• Exit at Bellevue Downtown Station, walk about 10–12 minutes to The Bellevue Collection
• Parking: Free parking is available at Marymoor Village, Redmond Technology, BelRed, and South Bellevue. Secure bike parking is available at every station.
• Options: Request a Bellhop for a quick, free, all-electric shuttle ride to Downtown Park.
• Plan your trip through Google Maps, One Bus Away, and the King County Metro Trip Planner!

Light rail is especially helpful for evening and weekend events when parking demand is high.

Use Bellhop for the Last Mile

Bellhop is Bellevue’s free, on-demand electric shuttle, and is the perfect first- or last-mile solution.

1. Download the Circuit app
2. Request a ride near the light rail station, a nearby bus stop, or from anywhere within their service range
3. Get dropped off at Bellevue Square

Bellhop is a great option during Lunar New Year events when streets and garages are busier than usual.

Walk or Bike Downtown

Downtown Bellevue is highly walkable, and many nearby neighborhoods are within walking or biking distance of The Bellevue Collection.

• Walk between stores, restaurants, and Bellevue Square
• Use bike racks located throughout downtown
• Combine biking with transit for a flexible trip

Walking and biking are simple ways to enjoy the downtown atmosphere while avoiding congestion. 

Log Your Lunar New Year Trips for Local Rewards

Your sustainable trips to Lunar New Year celebrations can count toward 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.    

The new year often brings new routines. A new job, new classes, or simply a fresh start.  

Getting around Bellevue without driving alone doesn’t mean a complete lifestyle change. In fact, many sustainable commute options fit easily into everyday routines, and they can help you save money, reduce stress, and earn rewards along the way.  

Here are a few simple, realistic ways to get around Bellevue without driving alone!  

Start with One Trip a Week

You don’t have to commit to a full commute change. Try choosing just one trip a week to swap driving alone for another option.  

That might look like:  

• Taking transit one day a week to work
• Going out on the weekend using transit instead of driving
• Walking to lunch or a nearby errand

Small changes add up, and they still count as trips you can log with Choose Your Way Bellevue.  In time, as you become more comfortable and familiar with Bellevue’s sustainable transportation options and routes, you can go beyond one trip per week – maybe 2, 3, or more. You got this! 

Take Transit to Get Around

Transit isn’t just for commuting to work or school. In Bellevue, it’s a practical option for everyday trips like coffee runs, grocery shopping, appointments, and even meeting friends downtown.  

With frequent service and easy connections, transit can help you avoid parking and traffic, especially during busy hours.

Plan your trip through Google Maps, One Bus Away, and the King County Metro Trip Planner! 

Walk Short Trips When You Can

Downtown Bellevue is only roughly 1 square mile and received a walk score of 94, making walking one of the easiest ways to get around.  

Consider walking when:  

• Your destination is within a mile  
• You’re heading to lunch, a cafe, or the shops downtown
• You want a break from sitting or screen time

Walking trips count toward rewards and are an easy way to explore your community at a slower pace. Especially, when the weather is warmer and the rain is less intense, walking can help you get your steps in, leading to a healthier active lifestyle. Until then, bundle up and stay dry! 

Try Biking for Part of Your Route

Biking doesn’t have to mean riding the entire way. Many people choose to:  

• Bike the first or last mile, and ride the bus or lightrail most of the way
• Bike for errands close to home
• Ride the full way during daylight hours and use transit when it’s dark

Bellevue’s growing network and bike-friendly transit options make combining modes simple and flexible.  

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

Share the Ride When it Makes Sense

If transit, walking, or biking isn’t an option for a particular trip, carpooling or vanpooling can still help reduce congestion and costs. 

Sharing a ride works well for:  

• Regular work schedules
• School drop-offs
• Occasional events or meetings

Even occasional carpool trips count as sustainable, non-drive-alone trips!

Find other commuters with similar commutes by setting up a free account within the Choose Your Way Bellevue portal to the Rideshare Online regional ride-matching service.   

Let Your Commute Support Local Businesses

In 2026, Choose Your Way Bellevue’s Rewards Program is going local! That means your everyday trips, whether they’re to work, the grocery store, or even your favorite coffee shop, can help you earn rewards that support local businesses.  

You don’t need to travel far or try something new every day. Simply getting around Bellevue without driving alone helps you reduce congestion, discover more of the city, and earn local rewards.  

Start Logging Your Trips Today

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

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.