Bellevue Begins Walking Audits To Improve Safety Around Schools

BELLEVUE, WA — The Bellevue School District joined city officials this month to kick off a new round of safety assessments focused on key routes that students rely on to get to class.

The road safety assessments are part of the city's broader Vision Zero initiative and aim to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists traveling roads near Interlake High, Sammamish High, Highland Middle, Odle Middle, Sherwood Forest Elementary and Stevenson Elementary schools.

The process includes a series of walking audits, including a pair scheduled over the coming days. Residents can sign up to attend the walks scheduled on Saturday, Jan. 22, or Tuesday, Jan. 25, which will focus on the areas surrounding Sherwood Forest and Interlake. Assessments for Highland Middle School are tentatively scheduled for March, followed by Sammamish High School, Stevenson Elementary and Odle Middle School in April.

Beyond the walking audits, the city is also asking families to participate in a short online questionnaire to help officials identify community priorities for making roads safer near schools. Residents can also sign up to participate in a focus group by contacting the city via e-mail, or calling 425-452-4077.

Funding for the program was provided by a $150,000 grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and nearly $43,000 from the city of Bellevue.

Residents can learn more about the safety assessments on the city's website.