Motorcycle images in the can...

Mike Mounfield, managing editor for the guidelines, had handed over his brief for the images back in the summer of 2004. His brief was simple, worryingly so. “Here’s a wish-list of images the chapter authors want - go shoot”. The list comprised eighty-odd images to illustrate the new guideline text.

Having spent thirty years photographing rock climbers in action, I’d gotten my head around that particular subject such that it had become (virtually) second nature. Capturing images of motorcycles was however, a major departure.

Mike’s confidence was inspiring: “if you can hang off ropes and take photos of climbers in crazy locations, taking photos of bikers will be a walk in the park”. He was so convincing I almost believed him! It was time to step outside my comfort zone and into the firing line.

Having pored over the wish-list of images, I pressed Mike for more details. “We want a series of didactic images to help get our points across. Each image will need to paint a story. And by the way, it’ll be almost impossible to get more than a handful of images that illustrate best practice“. Thrilled with Mike’s comments, I returned again to the list and then to the dictionary (when no one was looking) to swot-up on the ’didactic’ bit.

Many films later, enough to leave me thinking that there might be something in the digital revolution, the time guillotine slammed down. Over the intervening months I’ve scoured the East Midlands for examples of best practice and, just as Mike had warned me, come up with precious few. I’d opportunistically photographed unknown bikers on their way to work, on their way home with the shopping and just about most other activities in-between. I‘d captured small motorcycles, some of which were very, very small, as well as big bikes, some of which looked very, very big. I’d captured them with 180° fish-eye lens from low-down in the gutter and with big telephoto lens as they rounded country bends in the Peak District. I’d been lucky to have the assistance of John Frayn and David Bowers, two particularly willing bikers who did all they were asked and then some.

In the end, Mike got the images on his wish-list and I got the exhilarating buzz of trying something completely different. Ah yes, nearly forgot, I also got an insight into how different roads must be to motorcycles rather than cars or other four (plus) wheeled vehicles. It almost made me want to get a bike and join in, well almost anyway!

Technical bit…

The “IHIE Guidelines for Motorcycles” is due for publication by the Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers on April 14 th, 2005.

It is expected to become an essential text for planners, designers and road safety professionals giving best practice advice on how to ensure roads are motorcycle-friendly.

Road safety expert Mike Mounfield, working for consultant Scott Wilson, has managed/edited the work of the steering and authorial groups brought together specifically to draft the text for the guidelines.

The British Motorcyclists Federation and Motorcycle Industry Association contributed specialist parking images.