December 17, 2014 - Come in festive holiday attire, and anticipate a crowd of 700 or more. Friday night's Tour de Lights Bike Ride is a fun, free, casual five-mile bike ride - starting at Market Square at 7 p.m. - that's become one of Knoxville's favorite holiday traditions.

This year, for the first time, it's an official Christmas in the City event.

"I am always so impressed with the energy and creativity people put into their decorations and costumes," says Kelley Segars, coordinator of the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization's Bicycle Program.

"Tour de Lights is such a unique event - it's as much for the people who come to watch and cheer on the riders as it is for the riders."

Decoration judging begins at 6 p.m.; prizes are awarded after the ride in several categories, including Best Decorated Bike, Best Decorated Person, and Best Group Theme.

The ride tours downtown, Fourth and Gill and Old North Knoxville.

Mast General Store and Three Rivers Market provide hot cocoa and cookies for participants. Helmets, headlights and rear reflectors are required, and all ages and skill levels are welcome.

For more information - or, if you're not sure how to decorate your bike - visit www.ibikeknx.com.

The new TPO Bicycle Program website has lots of great information that's useful to riders - bicycle clubs and organizations, greenway usage, bicycle counts at intersections, bicycle rack locations, where to buy or get a bike repaired, and much more.

Remember: If you're Tweeting photos during Tour de Lights, please use the hashtag #christmasinthecity.