PR Somerville/Cambridge MA (February, 2025) — Portico Brewing has earned silver designation as a Bicycle Friendly Business from the League of American Bicyclists, taking its place alongside more than 1,100 businesses across the country contributing to the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.
“Bikes mean business, and Bicycle Friendly Businesses are proving it,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “When businesses support biking, they’re investing in healthier employees, more engaged customers, and stronger communities. Businesses like Portico Brewing are leading by example, showing that making biking safer and more accessible isn’t just good for individuals—it’s a catalyst for thriving local economies.”
Portico Brewing joins a total of 1,192 current BFBs nationwide, including everything from government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, museums, hospitality establishments, bike shops, and other employers, all united in a commitment to transform American workplaces to be more welcoming to both customers and employees who bike. The Bicycle Friendly Business award recognizes an organization’s contributions in shifting up and accelerating the movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.
“At the heart of every new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Business is a commitment to something greater—community, sustainability, and well-being, to name a few,” continued Nesper. “We’re proud to celebrate Portico Brewing for their ongoing efforts to champion cycling both within their workplace and in the world around them.”
The team at Portico believes that its business should be a force for good, especially when it comes to the environment. As such, it’s sustainable transportation initiative is part of what the brewery refers to as its environmental handprint*, an approach to sustainability that acknowledges its energy and material footprint by countering with positive actions that benefit its community and the planet.
Portico Brewing encourages bicycling as a transportation option for its customers and employees and provides amenities such as ample covered bike parking, an increasing neighborhood infrastructure of separated bike lanes, and Bicycle Benefits perks for anyone who pedals to the brewery. We also regularly promote, advocate and lobby for safer bike lane infrastructure and traffic safety laws, and are members of nonprofits including Mass Bike, Boston Bicyclist Union, Cambridge Bicycle Safety and Somerville Bicycle Safety.
“We’ve put in a lot of work toward supporting our local bicycle community and spreading the word about the importance of sustainable transportation,” said Rob Vandenabeele, Portico’s director of environmental sustainability. “It’s a real thrill to be officially recognized for our efforts, especially because we’re only the second Metro Boston brewery to achieve the distinction.”
As part of the BFB network, Portico Brewing will have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more welcoming to people who bike. When more people bike, great things happen: streets are safer, there’s less emissions and air pollution, noise and stress are reduced in our neighborhood, it fosters more of a connected within the community, and life quality improves for all.
To learn more about the BFB program, or to apply, visit the League online at bikeleague.org/business.
About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, including the Bicycle Friendly Community® (BFC), Bicycle Friendly State® (BFS), Bicycle Friendly Business® (BFB), and Bicycle Friendly University® (BFU) programs, visit the bike league website.
Since 1880, the League of American Bicyclists has been people-powered, with a goal to make bicycling safer and easier as a means of transportation and recreation. Today, the League continues to improve lives and strengthen communities through bicycling. We are more than 200,000 members and supporters strong with more than 1,000 state and local advocacy groups and bike clubs as well as thousands of businesses, universities, and communities together leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.
About Portico Brewing
Portico Brewing is inspired by architecture and design of all kinds, and its beers are made for everyone to enjoy. Its focus is to rethink traditional styles and create beers with classic ingredients and careful technique. Formerly a contract brand, Portico debuted its own brewery and community focused taproom near the Somerville-Cambridge line in Massachusetts in spring of 2023. Committed to environmental values, its part of the movement that believes in business for good.
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