Sustainability Policy
Purpose
Bike & Hike is dedicated to minimizing our environmental impacts, adopting a more sustainable approach to tourism, and inspiring others—clients, partners, and communities—to take positive action. We are committed to growing our business responsibly, recognizing that the environment, local communities, and cultures where we operate are essential to our success.
Scope
This policy applies to all staff members of our small company and is communicated to suppliers and visitors. Our Sustainability Coordinator, Isangela Giancola, is responsible for implementing and overseeing the company’s sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability Commitment
The leadership team at Bike & Hike is fully committed to enhancing the company’s sustainability performance. Responsible travel is a core value: we aim to maximize the positive social and economic benefits of tourism while minimizing negative impacts on the environment, society, and local economies.
Monitoring and Reporting
We use the Travelife platform to track and report our sustainability performance, and we are committed to publicly sharing our progress via the Travelife report every two years. This ensures transparency and accountability in all areas of our operations.
Our Approach
This policy highlights what we have already achieved and what we are currently implementing. It shapes practices at the heart of our product development, operational activities, and partnerships with external suppliers. Sustainability is an ongoing journey for everyone in our company, and we commit to continuous improvement across all aspects of our business.
Bike & Hike is dedicated to minimizing our environmental impacts, adopting a more sustainable approach to tourism, and inspiring others—clients, partners, and communities—to take positive action. We are committed to growing our business responsibly, recognizing that the environment, local communities, and cultures where we operate are essential to our success.
Scope
This policy applies to all staff members of our small company and is communicated to suppliers and visitors. Our Sustainability Coordinator, Isangela Giancola, is responsible for implementing and overseeing the company’s sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability Commitment
The leadership team at Bike & Hike is fully committed to enhancing the company’s sustainability performance. Responsible travel is a core value: we aim to maximize the positive social and economic benefits of tourism while minimizing negative impacts on the environment, society, and local economies.
- Management and Legal Compliance
Monitoring and Reporting
We use the Travelife platform to track and report our sustainability performance, and we are committed to publicly sharing our progress via the Travelife report every two years. This ensures transparency and accountability in all areas of our operations.
Our Approach
This policy highlights what we have already achieved and what we are currently implementing. It shapes practices at the heart of our product development, operational activities, and partnerships with external suppliers. Sustainability is an ongoing journey for everyone in our company, and we commit to continuous improvement across all aspects of our business.
2. Internal Management: Social Policy & Human Rights Commitment to Fair Employment
Bike & Hike fully adheres to the National Collective Labor Agreement (CCNL) for the tourism sector in Italy. All employees have a formal employment contract, which includes clear job descriptions, working conditions, and entitlements such as wages, overtime, sick leave, and vacation. We ensure that all staff are paid at least a living wage, meeting or exceeding legal minimums.
Equality and Inclusion
We are committed to fair and equal treatment for all employees and contractors, regardless of gender, race, age, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Recruitment, career development, access to training, and promotion opportunities are based on merit and potential, fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.
Health, Safety, and Protection
Bike & Hike provides and maintains a safe and healthy workplace. No children under 16 are employed; for minors legally employed, working hours and conditions comply with national regulations, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and ILO Convention 138.
Zero Tolerance Policy
We uphold a zero-tolerance policy for bribery, corruption, discrimination, forced labour, human trafficking, and violations of human rights. All partners and suppliers are expected to adhere to the same standards.
Bike & Hike fully adheres to the National Collective Labor Agreement (CCNL) for the tourism sector in Italy. All employees have a formal employment contract, which includes clear job descriptions, working conditions, and entitlements such as wages, overtime, sick leave, and vacation. We ensure that all staff are paid at least a living wage, meeting or exceeding legal minimums.
Equality and Inclusion
We are committed to fair and equal treatment for all employees and contractors, regardless of gender, race, age, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Recruitment, career development, access to training, and promotion opportunities are based on merit and potential, fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.
Health, Safety, and Protection
Bike & Hike provides and maintains a safe and healthy workplace. No children under 16 are employed; for minors legally employed, working hours and conditions comply with national regulations, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and ILO Convention 138.
Zero Tolerance Policy
We uphold a zero-tolerance policy for bribery, corruption, discrimination, forced labour, human trafficking, and violations of human rights. All partners and suppliers are expected to adhere to the same standards.
3. Internal Management: Environment & Community Relations
Bike & Hike is committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of our operations and promoting sustainable practices across all activities. Key measures include:
Bike & Hike is committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of our operations and promoting sustainable practices across all activities. Key measures include:
- Compliance & Procurement: We follow all local and national environmental regulations and prioritize sustainable, locally sourced, seasonal, fair-trade, and low-packaging office and tour supplies.
- Energy & Resource Efficiency: We have invested in solar panels and inverter air conditioning units to reduce energy consumption. Given our small team structure, all staff efficiently manage energy by maximizing natural daylight and keeping equipment pre-set to energy-saving modes. Energy-efficient LED lighting is used in the office and on the balconies, with the balcony lighting controlled by a timer during closing hours. Unoccupied rooms are kept free of unnecessary lighting, and the last person to leave the office is responsible for ensuring that all lights, including common areas and restrooms, are switched off. Printers are switched off after working hours, the coffee machine has an automatic shut-off feature, and staff are encouraged to unplug devices when feasible. Air conditioning and heating are switched off during lunch breaks and prolonged absences, and doors and windows are kept closed while these systems are running. Printing is minimized, double-sided, and on eco-certified paper; promotional materials are sent digitally whenever possible. Energy consumption, including the contribution from our solar panels, is monitored through standard utility invoices, and any future upgrade is planned based on a reasonable return on investment (ROI).
- Waste & Materials: Waste is separated for recycling and proper disposal. We avoid disposable items, using ceramic mugs, steel cutlery, and personal towels instead of single-use products. Staff are encouraged to bring reusable lunchboxes; clients are encouraged to use refillable water bottles and helmets. Packaging materials are minimized and recyclable or biodegradable.
- Cleaning & Pollution: Bike & Hike minimizes and substitutes harmful substances by using eco-labelled, non-hazardous, and fully biodegradable cleaning products free from phosphates, chlorine, or synthetic fragrances. Surfactants are of vegetable origin and fully compliant with Regulation 648/2004/EC, Skineco, and VeganOK standards. All storage, handling, and disposal of cleaning materials are properly managed to ensure environmental safety. Pesticides and paints are completely avoided as they are not required in our operations, while noise, light, and air pollution are kept to a minimum.
- Remote Work & Travel Reduction: Transport-related impacts are reduced by tele-work, tele/video meetings, work-at-home policies. The company reduces transport-related impacts by offering remote working options: once a week during the high season (April–June; September–October) and twice a week during quieter periods (January–March; July–August; November–December).
- Client Communication: Documents and offers are shared digitally or via our app to reduce paper use. Only one reusable cotton bag is provided per group.
- Land Use: Bike & Hike office is located in an urban area and fully complies with all local land use regulations. We respect local cultural and natural resources in our operations and prioritize sustainable architecture and design in our facilities.
4. Transport
- When choosing transport options for transfers and excursions at our destinations, Bike & Hike prioritizes more sustainable alternatives, balancing environmental impact with cost, comfort, and practicality.
- Bike & Hike promotes and offers to visitors cycling and hiking tours, our main activities.
5. Accommodations
- Bike & Hike does not, directly or indirectly, work with or contract any accommodation providers that engage in forced or compulsory labour, or that employ children in roles typically performed by adults.
- Bike & Hike gives preference to accommodations and restaurants that reflect and celebrate local art, architecture, and cultural heritage, while fully respecting the intellectual property rights and traditions of local communities.
6. Activities
- Bike & Hike offers only activities that are environmentally responsible and socially respectful, avoiding any that could harm people, animals, plants, or natural resources, or that may be culturally inappropriate.
- Bike & Hike is committed to protecting wildlife and promoting sustainable tourism in full compliance with Italian, European, and international regulations. Our excursions and tours are designed to involve and support local communities, offering authentic experiences that celebrate regional traditions and contribute to the sustainable growth of local economies.
- We do not offer or promote excursions involving captive wildlife attractions, except for activities that are properly regulated and fully compliant with local, national, and international laws. Where excursions include wildlife interactions, these follow strict codes of conduct to ensure animal welfare, minimize disturbance to ecosystems, and preserve natural habitats. We do not support or engage in the harvesting, consumption, display, sale, or trade of wildlife species.
- Whenever possible, Bike & Hike includes or promotes activities and initiatives that have a positive environmental and social impact—such as projects like Olivami—which support conservation and local engagement.
7. Tour leaders, local representatives and guides
- Bike & Hike is committed to hiring qualified local guides, porters, drivers, and other local staff, ensuring they receive fair pay, safe working conditions, and respect in all aspects of their employment. We expect the same ethical and professional standards from all our suppliers who hire local staff on our behalf.
- Bike & Hike is committed to ensuring that, in the future, all tour leaders, guides, and representatives are informed about the key principles of our sustainability policy and fully comply with them, promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices throughout our operations.
8. Destinations
At Bike & Hike, we promote sustainable, responsible tourism by designing cycling and walking tours that minimize environmental impact and directly support local communities.
At Bike & Hike, we promote sustainable, responsible tourism by designing cycling and walking tours that minimize environmental impact and directly support local communities.
- Route & Destination Selection: As cycling and walking specialists, we design itineraries along scenic, low-traffic roads and trails to ensure traveller safety, minimize exposure to vehicle emissions, and avoid noise and pollution. Sustainability is a key factor when selecting new destinations.
- Local Communities & Gastronomy: We prioritize family-run, locally owned, or culturally unique stays (such as trulli in Puglia or cave dwellings in Matera). Through our navigation app and digital communications, we connect travellers with regional producers, markets, and authentic experiences like cooking classes, farm visits, and wine or olive oil tastings.
- Heritage & Wildlife Protection: We strictly prohibit the promotion of historic or archaeological artifacts unless legally permitted. Likewise, neither Bike & Hike nor our partners promote souvenirs containing threatened flora or fauna listed under the CITES treaty or the IUCN Red List.
- Awareness & Improvement: We encourage travellers to minimize their environmental footprint and respect natural landscapes. We regularly review and adapt our sustainability practices based on feedback from clients, partners, and industry developments.
9. Customer Communication and Protection
- Privacy
- Marketing and Communication – Bike & Hike
- Bike & Hike ensures that all marketing materials, advertisements, statements, and publications are accurate and transparent, avoiding any misleading information or over-promising.
- Our staff are fully aware of what is offered and ensure that all products and services can be delivered reliably to clients.
- Information about our products, prices, and destinations on our websites is presented clearly and completely, providing customers with all the necessary details.
- We are committed to promoting transparency regarding our destinations, offerings, and sustainability initiatives, including sustainable transport options.
- Clients are also encouraged to support and donate to local and sustainable initiatives.
- Customer Satisfaction
Contact / Responsible Person – Bike & Hike
All staff share responsibility for understanding, promoting, and implementing this sustainability policy within their respective roles and departments. The overall implementation of the policy is led by our Sustainability Coordinator, Isangela Giancola, who can be contacted at isangela.giancola@apuliabiketours.com
All staff share responsibility for understanding, promoting, and implementing this sustainability policy within their respective roles and departments. The overall implementation of the policy is led by our Sustainability Coordinator, Isangela Giancola, who can be contacted at isangela.giancola@apuliabiketours.com
