General Policy & Cancellations for Solebike Tours
*Policy respectively reflects also to tours of the sub-brands Velodys, Coastal Pathways and FreelyGo that operate within Solebike's inner ecosystem.
A. Weather Factor: Safety & Preparedness
At Solebike, we embrace the authentic experience of exploring Athens by bike, which includes its beautiful, sunny days and occasional rain. Our top priority is your safety, followed closely by your enjoyment. The following policy outlines how we manage tours under various weather conditions, with the understanding that decisions are made by our professional guides with your safety as the sole determining factor.
Level 1: Light Rain / Overcast Conditions – Tour Proceeds
- Conditions: Intermittent drizzle, light steady rain, or overcast skies. No active weather warnings.
- Our Action: This is typical and manageable weather for our tours. All tours proceed as scheduled.
- Our Service: We provide complimentary disposable rain ponchos to all guests. We advise wearing appropriate footwear and layers.
- Guest Responsibility: Come prepared for the possibility of rain. If you choose not to attend a tour operating under these conditions, our standard customer cancellation policy applies.
Level 2: Steady / Heavy Rain – Tour Modified or Aborted by Group Consensus
- Conditions: Persistent, heavy rain that significantly reduces visibility, makes road surfaces slick, and impacts overall comfort and safety.
- Our Action: This is the most common reason for disruption in Athens. Before departure or if such conditions develop during the tour, your guide will:
- Assess the safety of continuing the planned route.
- Consult the entire group. If the guide deems it safe to offer a choice, they will ask if all participants unanimously wish to continue a shortened or modified route.
- If the group is not unanimous, or if the guide determines conditions are unsafe, the tour will be aborted or return to the start point by the safest, most direct route.
- Refund/Credit: If the tour is aborted before the halfway point due to these conditions, a 50% credit will be issued for a future tour. If aborted after the halfway point, no compensation is provided as the core service has been delivered.
Level 3: Severe Weather – Mandatory Cancellation for Safety
- Conditions: Active severe weather warnings issued by official agencies (e.g., Hellenic National Meteorological Service). This includes:
- Electrical Storms (lightning risk)
- Extreme Winds (risk of falling debris or losing control)
- Torrential Rain / Flash Flooding
- Extreme Heat (as per official heatwave alerts)
- Our Action: Tour is cancelled. This decision is made by management/guides and is non-negotiable. Your safety is not a matter for group vote.
- Refund/Credit: You will be notified as early as possible and offered a full refund or the option to reschedule to any available date.
Important Notes:
- Decision Authority: The final decision to operate, modify, or cancel a tour rests solely with Solebike and is based on professional assessment of real-time conditions, forecasts, and official alerts.
- Athens-Specific Context: Unlike other regions, snow, ice, or fog are rare causes for cancellation here. Our primary weather considerations are rain intensity and extreme summer heat.
- We Monitor: We actively monitor multiple weather sources to make informed, timely decisions.
*We believe this clear, tiered policy ensures your safety while providing transparency on how we manage Athens' variable weather to deliver a memorable experience.
Our Commitment to Safety.
Your safety is our top priority. All tours proceed subject to weather conditions and other safety considerations. The decision to cancel, modify, or terminate a tour for safety reasons is solely at the discretion of Solebike.
B. Force Majeure
A "Force Majeure" event refers to any extraordinary, unforeseeable circumstance beyond our reasonable control which prevents us from performing our contractual obligations. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Natural Disasters: Wildfires, earthquakes, major floods, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions.
- Government Actions: Mandatory evacuations, travel bans, border closures, or a sudden lockdown order.
- Public Health Emergencies: Pandemic or epidemic declared by the World Health Organization or relevant government body.
- Civil Unrest: War, invasion, acts of terrorism, or widespread civil commotion.
- Critical Infrastructure Failure: Widespread, prolonged power grid failure or closure of essential public transportation.
1. If a Force Majeure Event Occurs Before Departure:
- We will cancel the tour.
- You will be offered a 100% credit voucher for the full value of your booking, valid for 24 months from the date of issue.
- Alternatively, you may transfer your booking to any other available tour within the next 24 months.
*We will notify you as soon as possible upon confirming the situation and will provide regular updates.
*Refund Policy for Force Majeure
Due to the non-recoverable costs we incur in preparation for a tour (permits, guide salaries, administrative costs, etc.), full monetary refunds are not typically offered for Force Majeure cancellations.
The credit voucher serves as a direct investment in your future travel with us and is our primary method of resolving these unforeseeable situations.
2. If a Force Majeure Event Occurs During a Tour:
In the event that a Force Majeure situation arises after the tour has commenced.
- The guide will follow all official directives to ensure participant safety.
- The tour will be terminated immediately.
- We will provide a pro-rated refund for the portion of the tour not completed.
- We will not be liable for any additional costs you incur as a result (e.g., alternative accommodation, meals, or transportation home). We strongly recommend that all participants purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers Force Majeure events.
C. If We Cancel Before Departure
In the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions or due to other operational unforeseen events, we may cancel the tour.
You will be offered two options:
- Reschedule your tour to any available date within the next 12 months.
- Receive a 100% Refund.
*We will notify you via email and/or SMS at least 2 hours before the scheduled start time if a cancellation is necessary.*
"Rain or Shine" Commitment.
Our tours operate in light rain and moderate weather conditions that are typical for the region. Please come prepared with appropriate clothing and gear. If you choose not to attend a tour that is proceeding as scheduled, our standard cancellation policy (below) applies.
D. Other Cancellation Policies
1. Minimum Participant Numbers:
- Shared-Group Tours: These tours require a minimum of 2 participants and the "Athens Classic E-Bike Tour" 1 participant at the morning slot. If this number is not met, we reserve the right to cancel the tour. You will be notified at least 24 hours in advance and offered a reschedule or full refund.
- Private Group Tours: These tours do not require a minimum of participants to deliver the service booked.
- Big Group 11 plus people:
- Allotment reservations: For all contracts upon allotment terms, minimum participance is described in each contract.
2. Late or No-Show:
- Shared-Group Tours: Guests should arrive 15 minutes before departure. Guests arriving late may not be able to join and will not be eligible for a refund. No-shows will be charged the full amount.
- Private Group Tours: Guests that are late in arrival may have to enjoy a shorter program relevant to their time of delay. No-shows will be charged the full amount.
- Big Group & Allotment reservations: Late arrival may affect on the tour time length in relevance to the time of delay.
3. Skills & Fitness Requirements:
Participants must disclose any relevant medical conditions and ensure they have a sufficient cycling skill level. The guide reserves the right to refuse participation to anyone deemed unfit or not capable to safely handle the bike without refund.
E. Customer-Initiated Cancellation & Rescheduling
If the participant's plans change, the following terms apply.
1. Shared-Group Tours:
- More than 24 hours before the tour:
You will receive a full refund.
- Less than 24 hours before the tour, or No-Show:
No refund or credit will be issued. We cannot make exceptions as we have likely turned away other customers and incurred preparatory costs.
2. Private Groups:
- More than 48 hours before the tour:
You will receive a full refund minus a [e.g., 5%] administrative fee.
- Between 48 and 24 hours before the tour:
You will receive a 50% refund, or a 100% credit voucher valid for 12 months.
- Less than 24 hours before the tour, or No-Show:
No refund or credit will be issued. We cannot make exceptions as we have likely turned away other customers and incurred preparatory costs.
3. Big Groups and Allotment Reservations:
*Unless otherwise described in an Exclusive Capacity Allotment Agreement, below is the standard confirmation and cancellation policy for big groups and allotment reservations,
HIGH SEASON 01.04 - 30.11
- More than 1 month before the tour:
You will receive a full refund minus a 10% administrative fee.
- More than 15 days before the tour:
You will receive a 50% refund, or a 100% credit voucher valid for 12 months.
- Between 14 and 2 days before the tour:
You will receive a 25% refund
- Less than 48 hours before the tour, or No-Show:
No refund or credit will be issued. We cannot make exceptions as we have likely turned away other customers and incurred preparatory costs.
Confirmation of the Reservation.
- 50% deposit upon confirmation
- Full payment 15 days before departure
LOW SEASON 01.12 - 31.03
- More than 21 days before the tour:
You will receive a full refund minus a 10% administrative fee.
- More than 7 days before the tour:
You will receive a 50% refund, or a 100% credit voucher valid for 12 months.
- Between 6 and 1 day before the tour:
You will receive a 25% refund
- Less than 24 hours before the tour, or No-Show:
No refund or credit will be issued. We cannot make exceptions as we have likely turned away other customers and incurred preparatory costs.
Confirmation of the Reservation.
- 50% deposit upon confirmation
- Full payment 7 days before departure









