Transportation staff in Bellevue are proposing to reduce speed limits on streets currently posted at 30 miles per hour or higher, following results from the city’s Safe Speeds Bellevue program.
According to information shared by Jennifer Cook, Transportation Public Information Officer for the City of Bellevue, the city lowered speed limits on four Bellevue streets in July as part of the program launched last year. Since then, those streets have seen notable decreases in high-end speeding. The number of drivers traveling 40 miles per hour or faster dropped between 19% and 42%.
Based on those results, Bellevue transportation officials are now recommending expanding lower speed limits to more streets across the city.
Under the proposal, speed limits would remain unchanged on about 21% of streets currently posted at 30 mph or higher. Another 59% of streets would see limits reduced by 5 miles per hour, while approximately 20% could see reductions of 10 miles per hour.
The plan also includes changes in Bellevue’s central areas. Most streets in downtown Bellevue would have a 25 mph speed limit, while a smaller 20 mph speed zone is proposed around Old Bellevue and Downtown Park.
City staff began sharing the draft proposal with the community in February. Residents can review the proposed speed limit changes and provide feedback through the Safe Speeds Bellevue webpage at BellevueWA.gov/safe-speeds. The city is also asking for input on possible scenarios for implementing the changes in phases.
Transportation staff plans to present the results of community feedback to the Bellevue City Council this summer. At that time, they will seek approval to move forward with expanding lower speed limits.
If approved, the changes would likely be implemented gradually over one or more years to align with the city’s available capital budget.
The Safe Speeds Bellevue program is part of the city’s broader Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on Bellevue streets by 2030. According to city data, streets posted at 30 mph or higher make up about 25% of Bellevue’s total street mileage but account for 88% of crashes that result in fatalities or serious injuries.
Community input has also played a role in the program’s development. Nearly 500 people responded to a survey about vehicle speeds and traffic safety. More than 75% of respondents said they were concerned about how speeding affects the safety of people who drive, bike, and walk in the city.
When survey participants were informed about the safety benefits of lowering speed limits, a majority supported reductions, particularly when paired with increased enforcement and street design changes aimed at slowing traffic.
Information for this article was shared by Jennifer Cook, Transportation Public Information Officer for the City of Bellevue.
