Urban Cycle Polo

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Urban Cycle Polo is a variation of standard Cycle polo where two teams ride bicycles and use mallets to score goals with a small ball. Urban cycle polo does not have as many rules as its predecessor and can be played in a variety of locations common to urban landscapes.

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[edit] The Game

The most common ball type is a plastic Street hockey ball
The most common ball type is a plastic Street hockey ball

Game play has more in common with hockey but since the players sit on top of a moving object, use mallets and only one hand, the word bike polo is more descriptive. Two teams with between 2 and 5 players per team play in an enclosed rectangular area. Cones are placed at each long end of the rectangle and the ball is placed in the middle of the court. The most common ball type is a plastic Street hockey ball. Each team waits behind their own goal and following a countdown, they charge the ball. Typically there is a charger, a defender and supporting forwards.

Bike Polo team charging the ball
Bike Polo team charging the ball

A goal is scored when the opposing team hits the ball into the other team's goal with the end of the head of the mallet (the circle shaped end of the tube). If the shooter uses the side of the head of the mallet the goal does not count and play continues. This is called a shuffle.

If a player's foot touches the ground at any time during the game they must undertake some form of remedial penalty (usually either riding in a circle or tapping out). Tapping out involves riding to a designated point on the court and touching the mallet to it before returning to play.

The game is over when one team scores three to five goals (different cities play to different rules). Some games with exceptionally good players will last to 5 points. Some cities also impose a time limit which is informally invoked by spectators when gameplay draws on.


[edit] Minneapolis Variation

Known as Bikeball, this variation is played much more like hockey and always on a grass surface. The players use Wiffle Ball bats instead of mallets and a #4 Hedstrom rubber ball. The combination of bat and air-filled ball provide a much more lively play on the grass, and allow a much faster game to be played. The play is fast and physical contact is along the lines of a basketball game or scrimmage hockey.

There are 3 rules in the Minneapolis variation: 1. No hitting with the foot down, 2. You may pass through the net backwards, but the other team must be the first to touch, 3. No T-bone or stopping in front of a moving player. The games are typically played on thursday nights on the NW corner of Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis.

[edit] Mallets

DIY mallets
DIY mallets

Urban cycle polo players use handmade mallets in the spirit of the DIY ethic, as opposed to traditional polo mallets. Typical mallets are constructed using high density gas pipe (or ABS)for the head, and either a wooden dowel, ski pole or golf club for the shaft. PVC pipe is less commonly used as it can shatter on impact with the ground or the ball.

[edit] Popularity

Urban Cycle Polo has roots in Seattle, Washington, USA and is quite popular. It is also popular in New York City, where the second East Side Polo Invitational was held in April of 2007. Philadelphia hosted the first E.S.P.I in Oct. 2005 and a similar event in 2006 as part of the NACCC.

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