In a continued commitment to community care and sustainable mobility, Visit Bellevue's partners Hyatt Regency Bellevue and The Westin Bellevue have donated nine electric bikes to Jubilee Reach, a Bellevue nonprofit dedicated to supporting local students and families. The e-bikes were part of BikeHop, Visit Bellevue’s 2024 to 2026 pilot program designed to encourage car-free exploration of the city. Following the completion of the pilot, BikeHop partners sought a meaningful next chapter for the bikes. Jubilee Reach, a proud partner in Visit Bellevue’s Bellevue Cares program, was a natural fit and will be gifting the bikes directly to local families in need of reliable transportation.
Executive Director, Ken Carpenter (far right) and Jubilee Reach Team Members after receiving donated E-Bikes
"Bicycles can be out of reach for many families in this community, and this generous donation will bring smiles to many faces," said Ken Carpenter, Executive Director of Jubilee Reach. While they may not know the donors personally, they will know two things: 1) there are people who care about them and 2) they are not alone. Thank you from Jubilee Reach!"
The donated bikes include REI Co-op Generation e1.2 and REI Co-op CTY e2.1 electric models, designed for comfortable, everyday riding. Powered by efficient hub-drive motors with pedal assist up to 20 miles per hour, the bikes offer dependable range for commuting and errands, with tested distances between 40 and 60 miles depending on model and riding mode.
The Future of Bike Tourism in Bellevue
BikeHop launched in August 2024 as a pilot program offering visitors and hotel guests a new way to experience Bellevue. The program concluded in December 2026 after successfully demonstrating demand for sustainable, low-impact transportation options throughout the city. Visit Bellevue is developing a new bike tourism strategy called Ride Bellevue using insights from the BikeHop program. This program is designed to increase access to Bellevue's growing network of trails (including EasTrail), our Grand Connection, and our scenic corridors. Stay tuned for updates on Ride Bellevue.
