You can also find Zara at
XOVELO Ottawa Velo Vogue is a photo blog about bike fashion in Ottawa. I basically find people that look great on their bikes and photograph their relationship with their bike.
In the beginning I was photographing friends, my landlord just to get things moving. At this time, I now get recommendations for people wanting to be photographed on the blog and I stop random fashionable people in the streets.
It’s great interviewing people and finding out what their thoughts are on bike culture in Ottawa. It’s a wonderful experience.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LIVE A LIVE IN OTTAWA WITH LIMITED CAR DRIVING AND BEGIN A LIFESTYLE BY BIKE: I still have a car but only use it when I'm on an photo/video assignment or I know I have to cart around lots of expensive equipment. I bike and walk mostly, but Biking is just so much better! I can get around faster, I can breathe in fresh air, it clears my head and it's just fun. Public transit in Ottawa keeps getting more and more expensive so of course biking is the best option. It also helps that I live in downtown Ottawa so it’s a lot easier to get places by bicycle...no worries about parking, and no worries about eating that ice cream (you can burn it off! hehe).
DESCRIBE YOUR CYCLE STYLE: My cycle style changes a lot. I’m very much influenced by kawaii fashion but I do love a bit of feminine glamour. Think of me as a human Pokémon character on vacation in Paris.
FAVOURITE PLACE TO RIDE YOUR BICYCLE: I love riding on quiet streets, near the canal and anywhere that has ice cream available.
WHAT'S YOUR SECRET FOR CYCLING IN RAINY WEATHER AND KEEPING YOUR PERSONAL CYCLE STYLE? Well, I discovered the lovely
Cleverhood Cape and now I actually enjoy riding in the rain! I don't have to sacrifice my style. Keeps me dry, happy and stylish! Also have a great pair of
Native shoes that are so great in the rain!
DO YOU HAVE ANY CYCLING TIPS FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO START CYCLING, BUT HAVEN'T MADE IT ON TO TWO WHEELS YET? Go to your local bike store to get fitted for a bike and also determine what kind of riding you’re interested in. Don’t feel shy asking a lot questions! I do think a step through frame would be best for a beginner cyclist for sure. Once on your bike have fun, wear whatever you want, you don’t need special clothing unless you’re doing specific type of cycling.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR SWEET RIDE: I have two sweet rides! One is called Binks which is my bright yellow
Bobbin bicycle. He gets me around at a relaxed speed, and I can carry a bunch of things in him. When I bought Binks he was the last yellow bicycle in all of Canada at the time…they’re all over the place now, but because he was the last one I consider him very special.
My other bike, Death Star is a black Pake bike which gets me places a lot faster than my Bobbin. Death Star was a birthday gift from my boyfriend built with love.
WHAT IS THE ONE BICYCLE ACCESSORY YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT? That's a tough one... I guess my basket? I wanna say those clips that keep your skirt up but I don't have one... Hmmm... I also got a crate for Christmas? But I guess also my bell would be one thing I can't live without!
You can catch a few glimpses of Zara, looking oh so chic, with her yellow Birdie (Binks) on the Bobbin Bicycles blog "Bobbin Riders."
Thanks for the great chat Zara! It was a pleasure getting to know you better. Ottawa Velo Vogue is one of our FAV fashion cycling blogs and we love your cycle style! Your tips for cycling in the rain is spot on and we are with you, any long ride is worth the pleasure of ice-cream at the end!
Zara Ansar lives and works in Ottawa. When not riding around the picturesque streets in Ottawa you can find her near the canal and anywhere that has ice cream!
Zara writes for her XOVELO| Facebook: XOVELO | Instagram
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