Winners of the Greater Redmond Transportation Management Association’s (TMA) 2010 Tour de Redmond will be recognized at an awards celebration from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 in the Center Street Plaza at Redmond Town Center. The event is sponsored by Greater Redmond TMA, Microsoft and Redmond Town Center.

This fifth annual Tour de Redmond three-month competition is the longest challenge to date, with 741 registered participants from more than 30 Eastside businesses. Solo participants or teams keep track of how many miles they commute by bicycle to work, instead of driving. Prizes will be given in categories such as “most bicyclists” from a company, “largest number of teams,” “percent of participation to employee population,” “most miles biked,” “increase in percent of participation over 2009” and more.

“The people who compete in Tour de Redmond are not all avid bicyclists. Many are riding their bicycles to work for the first time,” said Greater Redmond TMA director Linda Ballew. “Tour de Redmond just gives people that little extra impetus to do what they have been wanting to do for a long time — ride their bikes for their own health and that of the community. These bicyclists help reduce both traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.”

This year’s celebration at Redmond Town Center will feature international recording artist Hans York (www.myspace.com/hansyork) and the presentation of 50 trophies, cash prizes, prize drawings and gifts. Gifts and prizes will also be part of the fun for those who attend and cheer for the winners.

Matt Hansen of King County Metro will be Master of Ceremonies.

For more information, visit www.eastsidecommute.org.