Fergus Coyle

Bike polo was invented in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1891 by retired cyclist, Richard J. Mecredy. He is credited with the idea of replacing polo ponies with bicycles.

Modern Hardcourt Bike Polo has its roots from the early 2000s, in Seattle, USA. Originally started by a group of messengers who had spare time in between deliveries, and due to the dot.com crisis they had quite a lot of it.

They played on a basketball court opposite to where they worked and its generally accepted that’s where the basic rule set which we still use today, was developed. The 5 Rules of Bike Polo are:

• 3 against 3
  
• Don’t put your foot down
  
• 10 minute game or 1st to 5
  
• Mallet on mallet/Bike on bike/Body on body
  
• Don’t be a dick
  

Bike polo has been played in Bristol since 2009 and players have competed at tournaments all over the world.