Crossroads-area residents who bike to the Overlake Village light rail station have no protected route along 156th Avenue NE, a stretch where the coalition says nine people have been seriously injured in the past decade.
The SAFE (Streets Are For Everyone) Bellevue coalition launched its campaign on today, pressing the council to fund protected bike lanes on 156th Avenue NE between the Crossroads neighborhood and the Overlake Village station on Sound Transit's 2 Line.
The coalition is organized by Complete Streets Bellevue and Eastside Urbanism.
The group's proposal has three parts: the 156th Avenue protected lanes, which would also connect to existing bike lanes near the Microsoft campus; a study to close a gap in bike infrastructure along BelRed Road between 140th Avenue and 156th Avenue; and full funding for a pedestrian improvement project on SE 34th Street in the Vasa Park neighborhood, which the coalition says lacks any sidewalk or shoulder.
Bellevue's 2025 Vision Zero report recorded 41 fatalities and serious injuries on city streets in 2025, a 61% increase over the prior 10-year average.
Pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for 14 of those serious injuries. Ninety-seven percent of fatal and serious injury crashes occurred on arterial streets.
On June 3, council members unanimously directed the Transportation Department to reduce speed limits on streets posted at 30 mph or higher, according to a city council roundup.
Those streets represent 25% of citywide mileage but account for 88% of fatal and serious injury crashes. Meanwhile, speed reductions are set to take effect in early 2027.
Budget timing
The Bellevue City Council began formal 2027-28 budget discussions on April 21, focusing on infrastructure investments aligned with the city's 2044 Comprehensive Plan.
The SAFE Bellevue campaign arrives as the 2 Line sees strong use.
The coalition urged residents to send letters to city leaders "to show your support for a future-focused Bellevue budget that is committed to reducing the high rate of serious injuries on our streets," according to its published proposal.
How to weigh in
Residents can view the full SAFE Bellevue proposal at safebellevue.com. The coalition is directing supporters to send letters to city leaders through its Action Network page. The council has not yet scheduled public hearings on the 2027-28 budget.
