School traffic usually occurs on neighborhood streets during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal hours from September to June. This page is a collection of school-related traffic information, tips and projects that help to keep our community safe.
School zones
To reinforce reduced speed limits near schools, Bellevue posts school zone signs in locations around the city. The locations are shown on our Routes to School map under the School Speed Zones tab.
The speed limit is 20 mph when flashing or when children are present. Please consult the school zone flashing beacon schedule for the 2024-25 school year. Follow the speed limits on these signs and watch for children walking to and from school. Fines are doubled in school zones. Also, make sure you understand when to stop if school bus flashing lights are on. To improve student safety, school buses are equipped with stop paddle cameras. Drivers who illegally pass a bus may be issued a fine of up to $500.
“20 When Children Are Present” means that a school zone speed limit is active when school children are occupying or walking in a marked crosswalk, waiting at a curb to cross a street, or present or walking along the road on a sidewalk or shoulder within the posted school speed limit zone. When in doubt, slow down!
Parking near schools
During arrival and dismissal time, follow parking laws and the following tips:
- Do not park within 30 feet of a stop sign.
- Do not park within 20 feet of an intersection.
- Do not park within 5 feet of a driveway.
- Do not park in a fire lane — this can impede emergency services.
- See all parking laws for additional information.
- Stopping in the middle of the street is not safe and can create unnecessary traffic jams.
- When you wait, consider turning off your engine to reduce noise and greenhouse gas emissions.
To reinforce traffic safety laws, community members can request ‘Park Smart’ and 'Traffic Safety’ yard signs.
Safe traveling tips
Regardless of how you are traveling, please help our students get to school safely.
If you are driving:
Pay attention while driving. When you’re driving, you can travel the length of a football field during the time it takes to read a text or dial a phone number.
- Washington State’s distracted driving law prohibits cell phone use while driving, at a stop light or while stuck in traffic.
- Share the road and watch out for kids walking, biking and rolling, especially at intersections, crosswalks, and when entering and exiting school parking lots.
- Adhere to 20 mph speed limits in school zones when school zone beacons are flashing or when children are present. Please consult the school zone flashing beacon schedule for more information.
- If you are commuting, consider alternative routes around schools to avoid traffic congestion during arrival and dismissal time.
- Slow down to a safe speed and provide at least three feet of clearance when passing someone walking, biking or rolling on the road, in the shoulder or in a bike lane. On a road with two lanes in each direction, you must change lanes to pass. See RCW 46.61.110(2) for more information.
- If you are driving with a child in your vehicle, ensure they are using the right seat! Children 4 and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4’9″ tall, and children up to 13 years old must ride in the back seat when practical to do so. Washington’s Child Restraint Law covers vehicle occupants up to the age of 16 years old. For more information, visit Washington State’s Child Passenger Safety Program.
If you are walking, biking or rolling:
- Heads up, phone down, eyes on the road.
- Stop, look, and listen at intersections and crosswalks.
- Observe traffic signals and wait until it is safe to cross.
- Wear protective gear such as a helmet and reflective clothing for better visibility.
You can find more educational resources for kids about traffic safety on our PedBee page.
School transportation options
Bellevue SchoolPool program
Bellevue SchoolPool is a collaboration between City of Bellevue, King County Metro and The Bellevue School District. The program encourages families and students to explore sustainable transportation options to and from school, like walking, carpooling, busing and biking, to help alleviate congestion around schools at arrival and dismissal times. Sustainable transportation also helps to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality around schools and contribute to health and wellbeing of students.
If your child is in the Bellevue School District, riding a school bus is easier than ever! Families can receive real-time updates through the Edulog Parent Bus Tracking Program.
SchoolPool focuses on two week-long campaigns in partnership with participating schools – including Walk and Roll to School Day/Week below. Learn more and find resources for all families at BellevueSchoolPool.org or by emailing BellevueSchoolPool@bellevuewa.gov.
Walk & Roll to School Day/Week
Bellevue’s annual Walk & Roll to School Day/Week—part of National Walk & Roll to School Day—is Oct. 7-11, 2024 and will be promoted through participating Bellevue SchoolPool schools. Be on the lookout for reflective wearables and other fun items that encourage walking, biking, or rolling to school!
Youth Ride Transit for Free!
Transit is free for riders 18 and younger thanks to Move Ahead Washington, a[ju1] statewide transportation funding package. Youth riders are encouraged to bring one of the following when they ride, if they have it:
Youth ORCA Card
- Cards issued by schools and organizations may expire.
- Register your card to ensure it works until your 19th birthday.
Current High School ID or Middle School Student ID
- Show your student ID to the driver as you board and to any transit official upon request.
Riders 18 and younger who do not have a Youth ORCA Card or Student ID can still ride for free. Just get on board! Find out more at https://info.myorca.com/youth-ride-free/
PedBee
To promote pedestrian safety, PedBee—the city’s traffic safety mascot—has a traffic safety card game and activity book available online and at select community centers. Learn about how to “Bee Safe” when walking and biking through our educational materials and by collecting reflective wearables!
Vision Zero
Bellevue’s Vision Zero initiative is an effort to eliminate traffic deaths and serious-injury collisions on city streets by 2030. The Vision Zero Strategic Plan outlines how the city will achieve that goal, through annual Vision Zero Action Plans that reflect Bellevue’s commitment to addressing traffic challenges holistically. In the 2023 Vision Zero Action Plan, a key action item was the completion of the School Zone Road Safety Assessments (RSA) project with funding from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. A final report summarized the six RSAs conducted near Bellevue schools and identified many traffic safety concerns as well as potential improvements. More information about the RSAs that the city has completed is available on the Road Safety Assessments page.
Citywide Local Street Speed Limit Reduction
Speeding on local streets, especially neighborhood streets around schools, is the top concern heard from residents regarding traffic safety in Bellevue. 20 mph speed limits have already been implemented in three Bellevue neighborhoods, and the results have been positive. Based on these changes, the city is looking to lower the speed limit on most local streets from 25 mph to 20 mph. For more information on this project, or to provide feedback, please visit the project webpage.
Traffic safety request
If you’re concerned about traffic safety near schools, you can fill out a traffic safety request form. City staff will follow up with you based on your request.