Along the terrace

The new terrace across from the Ottawa Congress Centre is a great place to sit with a coffee and watch the world (and chic cyclists) go by.



Bike: Bixi

Bike share mystery

Friends enjoying Capitale Bixi




What is a bikeshare bike from Arlington Virginia doing in the city of Ottawa? This little mystery started about a month ago when an Ottawa Bixi was spotted in Montreal. Shortly thereafter I spotted a Bixi from Melbourne in the market area. This was followed by both Toronto and Montreal Bixi sightings here in the downtown. So, what is that all about? Well, it turns out as part of the promotion for the Bixi world bikeshare program, they are placing bikes all over the world to show the international flavour of the Bixi system. I think it's rather fun!

Quick update...this afternoon I spotted a Barklay's bike from London!

Sunday cycling

Cornering the market on a Schwinn





Heading to Quebec on a Bixi

Ottawa Bixi

Lowertown Bixi

Capital chic!

What better time to launch Ottawa Cycle Chic than the May holiday long weekend. Glorious weather and bicycles everywhere! In addition, we launched Capitale Bixi this past week and the bike-share plan is off to a great start with red and white Bixis spotted all over the streets and pathways.




Lovely lady on a Skeppshult Natur


I first noticed the cycle chic style in Ottawa during the summer of 2009, but it wasn't until last summer that chic cyclists were seen more often. This summer it has really taken off. Upright bikes have obviously found their way out of cellars and garages and maybe a mountain bike or two has been parked. I've seen Pashleys, Multicycles and Adriaticas popping up along the canal pathways and on our city streets. No longer a head-turning occasion but now part of the everyday scene in Ottawa...as it should be.



Gent on a Pashley