Bellevue's Healthy Street Program Ends Friday, May Return In 2021

BELLEVUE, WA — Bellevue's Healthy Streets program will come to an end on Friday, five months after the first street closures began in early May.

The pilot program covered selected residential streets in Northeast Bellevue, Northwest Bellevue, Lake Hills, and Newport Hills, limiting non-local traffic to pedestrians and cyclists. According to the city, the program was designed to encourage more physical activity and safely allow for adequate distancing.

When the roads return to normal, drivers are encouraged to stay cautious and watch for those on foot and bicycle, especially in areas without available sidewalks or marked bike lanes.

City officials cited equipment and maintenance needs as the weather changes in ending the program for now. The temporary road closure signs will be needed during the response for future flooding, ice or snow events. The transportation department is considering a similar project for 2021.

The city estimates it spent about $20,000 on the pilot run, including signs, barricades and public outreach efforts. In a news release, the city said more than 140 residents gave feedback on the program, providing several key takeaways:

• Use: The proportion of people bicycling and walking increased relative to the proportion driving. Nearly two-thirds of questionnaire respondents reported using Healthy Streets at least once a day, and 92% used them at least once a week.
• Goals: Most people believed the pilot achieved its goals, providing a safer space to walk and bike while physical distancing, while maintaining local motor vehicle access and parking.
• Support: Supporters of the pilot liked that it prioritized people and families, increased pedestrian safety, decreased vehicle traffic and slowed down drivers who did used the streets for local access. Some people wanted a Healthy Street in their neighborhood, requested more in general or wanted them permanent.
• Concerns: Critics said the street closures were unneeded, that it was unsafe to mix people walking and children playing in the street with people driving, and that there was not enough advance notice about the closures.

As the city weighs bringing the program back in the future, residents can continue to provide feedback via e-mail.