Cookies Policy

This Cookies Policy explains how Hitch A Bike uses cookies and similar technologies on hitchabike.co.uk. It also explains what cookies are, why they are used, the types of cookies that may appear on our website, and how you can manage your choices.

This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use and protect personal information more broadly.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites work properly, remember choices, measure performance and, where permitted, support advertising or personalisation.

Cookies may be set directly by Hitch A Bike or by third-party services we use. Similar technologies, such as pixels, tags, local storage and device identifiers, may also be used for related purposes.

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Keep the website working correctly.
Support basket, checkout, account and security functions.
Remember certain preferences.
Understand how visitors use the website.
Improve page content, navigation and customer journeys.
Measure marketing performance where permitted.
Show more relevant advertising where consent has been given.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are required for the website to work. They support functions such as page navigation, basket operation, checkout, account login, security and fraud prevention. These cookies cannot usually be switched off because the site may not function correctly without them.

Preference cookies

These cookies help remember choices you make, such as region, currency, account preferences or cookie settings. They make the site more convenient to use when you return.

Analytics and performance cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website, including which pages are viewed, how customers move around the site and where improvements may be needed. This helps us improve content, navigation, buying guides and product information.

Marketing and advertising cookies

These cookies may be used to understand product interest, measure marketing activity, limit repeated advertising and show more relevant adverts on third-party platforms. These cookies are not essential to the operation of the website and should only be used where the required consent has been given.

Third-party cookies

Some cookies may be placed by third-party services used on our website, such as payment tools, analytics providers, advertising platforms, embedded content, social media tools or customer support services. These third parties may process information according to their own privacy and cookie policies.

4. Session and Persistent Cookies

We may use both session cookies and persistent cookies.

Session cookies are temporary and are usually deleted when you close your browser.
Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them.

5. Cookies and Personal Information

Cookies do not usually identify you directly by name. However, information collected through cookies may be linked with other information, such as website activity, device information, order behaviour or marketing preferences, where permitted.

For more detail on how personal information is collected, used, shared and stored, please read our Privacy Policy.

6. Cookie Consent

Strictly necessary cookies are used because they are required to provide the website and checkout service you request.

For non-essential cookies, such as analytics, performance, marketing or advertising cookies, we aim to use them only where the required consent has been obtained. You may change or withdraw your cookie choices at any time through the cookie preference options on our website, if available, or by adjusting your browser settings.

7. Managing Your Cookie Choices

You can manage cookies through the cookie banner or cookie preference tool on our website where available. You can also control cookies through your browser settings.

If you block all cookies, some parts of the website may not work as expected. For example, the basket, checkout, account login or saved preferences may not function correctly.

You can find browser cookie settings through the official help pages for your browser:

8. Third-Party Services

Our website may use third-party tools and services to support ecommerce, payments, delivery updates, customer communication, analytics, advertising, social media or embedded content. These services may place or read cookies depending on your settings and consent choices.

Third-party providers may have their own privacy and cookie policies. We recommend reviewing those policies if you want to understand how a specific provider uses cookies or similar technologies.

9. Changes to This Cookies Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our website, ecommerce platform, cookie banner, analytics setup, marketing tools, service providers or legal requirements.

When we update this page, we will change the “Last updated” date at the top of the policy. The version published on this page applies from the date shown.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Cookies Policy or how cookies are used on hitchabike.co.uk, contact us using one of the options below:

Email: support@hitchabike.co.uk
Contact page: Contact Us
Website: www.hitchabike.co.uk

Customer service hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 UK time, excluding public holidays.