It has been suggested that Urban Cycle Polo be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Bike polo match in Budapest

Most commonly referred to as "Bike Polo", the game is similar to traditional Polo, except that bicycles are used instead of horses. The sport originated in Ireland and was formally invented by Richard J. Mecredy in 1891. The game has seen a sharp spike in interest as of 2007 and new teams are sprouting up across the world. Bike polo can now be accounted for in the USA, France, India, Ireland, Germany, London, Hungary, Australia and Canada. Image File history File links Mergefrom. ... 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. ... For other uses, see Budapest (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Polo (disambiguation). ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

The game

As of 2008, there are two dominant forms of the game: hardcourt, played on asphalt or concrete, and field which is played on grass.

Hardcourt polo started in Seattle roughly eight years ago. One of the original Seattle crew, a gentleman by the name of Bill Dozer, relatively recently wrote an article providing a detailed overview of Hardcourt polo in Issue #1 of Urban Velo. Allowing for the fact that at this point, many variations exist from city to city with regard to rules, courts, bikes, time frame, etc., everything from court dimensions to mallet construction to the (few) rules that apply are given thorough attention in Dozer's article. Full details (like the ones provided for Field polo below) and a link to this article will appear soon.

Field polo, the older form of the sport, is played in a rectangular grass field, 150 meters by 100 meters officially, unofficially whatever field is big enough. Moreover, official dimensions can vary between 120 and 150 meters in length on 80 to 100 meters in width. The French rules however allow for smaller grounds usually 100 by 80 meters. The ball used is of circumference 12-15 inches and the mallet is of length 1 meter.

There are 6 members (7 in France) in a team of which 4 (5 in France) are on field at a time. The other two are used as substitutes. International matches are played for a duration of 30 minutes divided into periods of 7.5 minutes each called as a chukkar. Extra time can be used to determine the winner in case the scores are tied at normal time. The goal posts are usually widened for extra time.

If a deliberate foul is committed at the vicinity of the goal, the team that is fouled is automatically given a goal. There are no penalty strokes. Less severe fouls are awarded 15 metre and 25 metre free hits. In the event of deliberate fouls or dangerous fouls, the umpire can issue the Yellow card (warning) and in case of repeated or severe fouls the Red card (ejection). The ejected player can be replaced by a substitute after the end of the current chukkar if the umpire allows it.

History

Man playing cycle polo in New York City

The game was invented by an Irishman, Richard J. Mecredy in 1891. That same year the first cycle polo match was played between The Scalp and the Ohne Hast C.C.. Towards the end of the 19th century the game reached Great Britain, USA and France. The first international match was played between Ireland and England in 1901. Cycle polo was an demonstration event in the 1908 London Olympics with Ireland winning the gold beating Germany.

The sport reached its peak of popularity in Great Britain during the 1930s with the introduction of the regional leagues. Cycle polo also flourished in France during this period with the establishment of the French league. Internationals between France and Great Britain were held regularly. However the second world war marked the beginning of the demise of cycle polo in Britain. The sport managed to hang on in France though, with league championships held regularly till today.

The 1980s saw the rise of two new powers in cycle polo, India and USA. The Cycle Polo Association of India was officially created in 1966 and the Bicycle Polo Association of America was created in 1994. International cycle polo matches staged a comeback in the 90s with the first world championship organized in 1996 in USA. Teams from India, USA and Canada participated with India winning the title. The next championship was held in 1999 in Vancouver, Canada which was also won by India. From then on, the championship became a regular event held every year. Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized...

The 2004 championship was won by the USA, with teams from India, Canada, France and Pakistan participating.

Today there is organized cycle polo being played in Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and USA.

Cycle polo was officially recognized by the International Cycling Union in 2001. Starting in 2007, a variation of cycle polo so-called Urban Cycle Polo is getting considerable media attention in the USA and Canada. This game is less formal and has rules adapted to accommodate urban environments. Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is a professional cycling union that oversees cycling events in the international community. ... 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. ...

The rules of cycle polo have been adapted in the new sport of Segway polo. Segway Polo is a team sport which started to gain some measure of popularity after being played by members of the Bay Area Segway Enthusiasts Group (Bay Area SEG) in 2004. ...

International Bicycle Polo Championships

• 1996 (Richland, USA) Won by India
• 1999 (Vancouver, Canada) Won by India
• 2000 (Delhi, India) Won by India
• 2001 (London, England, United Kingdom) Won by India
• 2002 (Les Lilas, France) Won by Canada
• 2003 (Vero Beach, USA) Won by Canada
• 2004 (Vancouver, Canada) Won by USA

Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... This article is about the year. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized...

External links

• London Bike Polo on Brick Lane
• Bicycle Polo Assosciation of America
• Cycle Polo Federation of India
• Polo Velo (France)
• Axles of Evil - Lil' Beirut style Bike Polo
• International Bicycle Polo Federation
• Madison Bike Polo
• Chicago Bike Polo
• Bike Polo pictures from various locations around the world
• US Bicycle Polo Association
• Minneapolis BikeBall Players
• Los Angeles Bike Polo
• Hardcourt Bike Polo
• New York Bike Polo
• Wordpress Cycle Polo Blog

History links

• Timeline of Bike Polo History
• Hardcourt polo in the 1930s in Galway, Ireland (interview)