Advocate of the Month: Tina Medley
Name: Tina Medley
Pronouns: She/Her
Occupation: Branding Account Specialist
Associated Advocacy Group: Beehive Bike Polo Club
Position at associated advocacy group(s): We don’t have labeled roles at Beehive Bike Polo Club (BBPC ) but I tend to find myself in the organizing body. If I were to label myself, I’d say I play a part in the following roles -- club ambassador, social media coordinator, and community relations manager.
What was your first bike?
My first bike as a child was probably a Huffy. My first bike as an adult, a Huffy! I found it at a thrift store and I was over the moon. It was a step-through frame from the 70’s, with orange and brown details. I thought it was the coolest.
Where is your favorite place to ride in Utah?
I love riding trail in Moab and Gooseberry Mesa! There are so many places I have yet to explore though. In SLC I enjoy pedaling City Creek and the Jordan River Parkway. They are such tranquil and beautiful rides right in our backyard.
How did you learn about Bike Polo?
I lived in Milwaukee in my early 20’s. The fixie bike scene was at its peak and the niche sport began gaining traction all over the US. I learned about bike polo through some friends, watched some games, and was hooked! It took me a while to gather enough courage to play since no women played in Milwaukee at the time. With a bit of coaxing from a girlfriend, we started playing together and the rest is history.
what is Bike Polo?
Bike Polo is a worldwide sport that began in the 1800s as a derivative of horse polo. Originally hosted on grass fields the sport has now transitioned to hard surface courts. Bike polo begins with two teams of three players, players must stay on the bikes at all times. Using the mallet to move the ball, players will attempt to score a point by shooting the ball into the opposing team’s net. The duration of the match is 12 minutes or until a team scores 5 points.
How did you build your relationship with Beehive Bike Polo?
I moved to SLC 6 years ago and instantly bonded with the Beehive Bike Polo. We didn’t have courts back then so we played wherever we could: tennis courts, parking garages, and parking lots. It wasn’t ideal. I ended up spearheading a mission to find city-sanctioned courts which became the catalyst for my continued involvement in the organizing body of the club.
“Beehive Bike Polo applied for a grant from Utah’s ZAP (Zoo, Arts and Parks) program. Approved for $25,000, the Beehive Bike Polo Club awaits the finalization of the grant to claim a space, transform an existing tennis court, compile gear and start a youth bike polo club in Glendale. Although the club received a bit of pushback from the tennis community, the idea is to transform one of the tennis courts into a multi-use sports court for things other than bike polo, too, like roller skating, roller derby, and tournaments. The court and youth bike polo club would serve more than just a small part of the community and diversify park activities.”
How does Beehive Bike Polo promote cycling among your group?
BBPC promotes cycling by encouraging anyone who shows interest to get on the court and feel it out. We’re always looking to expand the club and strive to create a welcoming environment at the courts.
Pictured: Three players pre joust.
To make the sport more accessible, we have hosted rookie nights and WTF (women/teams/femme) nights. Programming was on hold due to the pandemic but we’re hoping to start up again in the summer.
We promote cycling among our group by scheduling polo weekly. Occasionally we do group social rides and trail rides. Many of us ride mountain bikes so we’re always trying to get clubmates to jump on that train.
What advice do you have for someone who is interested in Bike Polo, but has no idea where to start?
Beehive Bike Polo plays at least twice a week, usually on Tuesday, Thursday and/or Sunday at the Jordan Park Courts. Just pull up and let us know you’d like to play!
We have loaner bikes, mallets, and safety equipment for new players.
People can also reach out to us via Instagram, Facebook messenger, and or email.
How do you make sure you are taking care of yourself and avoiding burn out while participating in Bike Polo and working?
It took a while to find the balance and sometimes it still gets away from me. I used to try to cram maximum fun and productivity in each day which is never sustainable. Through the years I’ve learned to build awareness of my needs through regular mental and physical check-ins. WIP for sure. I’ll also reach out to my clubmates for help if I’m feeling super overwhelmed. The club has accomplished so much by working together toward our shared goals.
Do you have a follow-up question for Tina? Would you like more info about your local bicycling advocacy group or have a specific active transportation project you’d like to see initiated? Do you know an advocate we should highlight? Email info@bikeutah.org!
