Op-Ed: Bellevue Must Invest in Safe Routes to Stations in Light Rail Era

An opinion piece argues that Bellevue should prioritize pedestrian and bike infrastructure around its new light rail stations, particularly protected bike lanes on 156th Avenue connecting to Overlake Village station. The SAFE Bellevue coalition is urging the city council to fund these projects during its budget process, citing 41 street deaths in 2025 and noting that protected bike lanes reduce collisions for all road users.