Once we already discussed the sustainable tourism concept and how important is the conscious consumption travel, now it is time to dive deeper into this universe.
For that, we have selected an amazing project that applies all sustainability principles: environment, social and cultural, economy, and political and institutional.
This is the Bike Tour SP that happens in Sao Paulo every weekend. A team of volunteers offers free bike rides for groups of 10 to 15 people, guided by 02 monitors and audio equipment. As the Bike Tour goes around the city, information about the most important cultural spots are given in Portuguese and English and, on Sundays, in LIBRAS – Brazilian Sign Language for deaf people.
They offer 06 different routes: Paulista Avenue, Ibirapuera, Old Town, New Town, and Faria Lima. No excuses to be out of it. After all, there is a place for everybody: kids, seniors, disabled people, even for those who haven´t learned how to ride a bike. Isn´t that great?
The founders of the project, the brothers Daniel and André Moral, based the concept of bike, culture and solidarity. Interestingly, each one of these aspects relates to one or more sustainable principles. Let´s see how they do it:
Bike (Environment + Political & Institutional)
No doubts, biking is one of the most environmentally-friendly transportation. Over the last years, it has attracted more fans and public attention in urban centers. Daily, it enables thousands of people to move around, going to work, or leisure. In this way, it relieves public transportation, while decreasing the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere caused by the burning of fossil fuel, such as oil and natural gas that are present in motor vehicles, generating an increase in the planet’s temperature.
In the politico-institutional arena, although far from ideal, some Brazilian cities have supported the cause, saving part of the public ways for bicycle lanes and supporting initiatives related to the theme. For instance, this is the case of the city of Sao Paulo and the Bike Tour SP. Partnerships like this ensure solidity and continuity of commitments made between different spheres of government and civil society.
Culture (Social & Cultural)
While preserving the environment, it also provides access to culture through visits to Sao Paulo´s sightseeing.
The itineraries take the participants to the Old Town where the city was founded, the Patio do Collegio, Cathedral and its´s square, São Bento Monastery; going through the New Town where are located the Municipal Theater, the Italy and Copam buildings, the Republic Square, Largo do Arouche, Pinacoteca do Estado and Luz Station; by one of the main financial centers, Paulista and its renowned Assis Chateaubriand Art Museum – better known as MASP; the region of Faria Lima and its architectural and design milestones; to the beloved Ibirapuera Park, as an area of 158 hectares divided between green areas, gardens, outdoor artworks, space for sports and leisure, Planetarium, Afro Brazil Museum and Oscar Niemeyer buildings that is home to the Museum of Modern Art – MAM and the Biennial.
Experiences like that value the historical and cultural heritage, give the individual the possibility of appropriating public spaces, greater interaction with the city, its customs, and its people. Expanding the limits of their horizons to go far beyond the geographic ones.
Solidarity (Economy)
In order to provide this service, Bike Tours SP only requires the participant to pre-register through their website, and on the day of the activity you donate 02 kg of non-perishable food. These are given to pre-selected charity groups.
Probably, you are wondering about the relationship between solidarity and economics, isn´t it? I explain. Since this tour is free and work is voluntary, in fact, it does not generate direct jobs or revenue for this organization. However, it strongly moves the economy of the local trade where it operates.
By the way, have you thought about the economic impact YOU are able to generate when you take a ride in your own city when you decide to travel on those long-awaited holidays?
Just think about how many direct and indirect jobs YOU support throughout this chain. From the travel agency where you hire the services, the accommodation where you stay in, the bars and restaurants where have your meals, the local shops, the tourist attractions you go to, the transportation you take.
Tourism can be a great form of the income distribution.
Acknowledge that according to a study by the Oxford Economic for the WTTC World Travel and Tourism Council, in 2017 tourism injected more than US$ 163 million into the Brazilian economy, which is equivalent to 7.9% of our GDP and it was responsible for 6.59 million jobs. There is no doubt that tourism can be a great form of the income distribution.
In fact, it is a real pride to have a sustainable project like this one in our country and, above all, in a metropolis like Sao Paulo. After all, the activity meets the needs of tourists as well as the socio-economic needs of the region while maintaining cultural and environmental integrity for future generations.
On your next trip remember: choose companies that are committed to sustainability in practice.
Are you interested? So, visit the Bike Tour SP website, book your ride, and have fun!
If you like this content and believe it can be useful to someone else, be yourself also a sustainable tourism agent and spread this message around.
Do you want to know more about another destination or a specific initiative?
So, please leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to help. Thanks and see you next time!
References:
* Bike Tour SP Site;
* Tourism and Sustainability – Open Arms Project of Ministery of Tourism. Brasilia, 2016.
