Art on Bikes: Bike Polo Wheel Covers

Hardcourt bike polo is the urban version of the "Sport of Kings" (otherwise known as just "polo"). But horses are expensive! And they poop too. Hence, bike polo: the punk rock version of the royal pastime.

Polo players love to travel and play in other cities.

Bike polo is also a little bit like hockey. There are nets for goals, the plays are very hockey-esque, and it's a contact sport, meaning that polo equipment needs to be able to take a beating. Just as the players will suit up in helmets, gloves, knee pads and shin guards, the polo bikes also need a bit of protection. 

Wait, what's that? You thought this was an art blog? Yeah, yeah, I'm getting there. So check it out: Polo players put these covers on their wheels to protect their spokes from getting hit, and prevent some not-so-cool tangling from going on. Here's where the art comes in - bike polo evolved as a DIY sport, and wheel covers quickly became a prime canvas for personalizing each steed.

At first players were making wheel covers out of cardboard, but thosequickly fell apart. The standard now is coroplast, or corrugated plastic - the same stuff you see printed on to make cigarette and beer ads at markets.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE 
This hand-painted wheel cover was a Santa Cruz tournament prize.

Players use paint, markers and stickers to personalize their covers. Some are completely original, others pay homage to pop culture or subculture imagery. Some players put their team logo on their wheels as a way of both unifying the team and making it easy to tell if the bike on your right is manned by friend or foe. Wheel covers are often coveted prizes at tournaments. with unique art designed especially for the event emblazoned across them, they communicate that a player came, saw, conquered (or maybe just had the best crash of the weekend). 

Not all, but most polo players, put wheel covers on their bikes, but some of the best may end up as wall art. Each one has a story behind it, about the player, their team, their bike, and adventure. Polo players love to get creative, and wheel covers are one of the best ways they do it (aside from pulling some tricky bike maneuvers).

             

 See more wheel cover art and player profiles at www.goalhole.com/