“Compulsory licence training has made motorcycling more socially acceptable”
It was tooling around Florida Keys on a 150cc Vespa that first attracted young Warwick to two wheels and, on his return home to Australia, the need to earn a living combined with his attraction to motorcycles were both fulfilled by joining the NSW Police Force. General desk duties and walking the beat were only a ploy, and soon Warwick was at the St Ives Motorcycle Training School for a course on how to conduct himself as a representative of the crown.
At the conclusion of three weeks of training at the facility’s bush and road complex on well-abused Trumpies, he was let loose on a new Triumph 650 Trophy.
“At that time peak-hour clearways were just being introduced across Sydney and required lots of patrolmen to keep them clear. I rarely used any higher than second gear and the job came with lots of agro,” Warwick recalls. “So when the opportunity came up to complete the Motorcycle Instructor Course it proved a godsend. No more shiftwork, and time for the Bilgola Surf Club and for footy on weekends.”
Warwick spent 12 years as a police motorcycle training instructor, enjoying a succession of motorcycles from the British Triumphs through to the quintessential superbike, the Kawasaki Z1000 – one of which was used in his attempt at the round-Australia record (but that’s another story).
He also took a shot at motocross on a 250 Greeves and enjoyed some success in Trials on a Sherpa T360.
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However, between footy, the Surf Club, dirtbikes and family, something had to give. As he was already spending five days a week on two wheels, the dirtbikes were gone. But not forgotten.
It was 1980 when Warwick joined forces with old mate Max Withers to found Stay Upright Advanced Riding Courses at Amaroo Park and Oran Park, on both hotmix and dirt circuits. These courses were later introduced interstate, and since then more than 4000 experienced riders have reaped the benefits of improving their skills to face an increasingly dangerous environment. And many more have benefitted from the firm’s courses at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Success in the consumer market is difficult to quantify, but over the years the Stay Upright Australia Post training course reduced accidents by 30 per cent.
Since the ACT introduced mandatory rider licence training in 1981, the other states and territories have followed with similar schemes. However, as could be expected with Australian bureaucrats, there is no consensus on standards.
Schuberg’s belief in skills training is obvious.
“It would be a great thing if everyone was on the same page. Even the instructor training varies from state to state. Ridiculous.”
Stay Upright has provided basic training for thousands of new riders.
“It’s not just the potential in saving lives and avoiding injury – we stress that the majority of drivers have never sat on a motorcycle, have never known someone who rides and never had any relationship with motorcycling. They simply don’t consider riders.
“I also believe that, since licence training became compulsory, motorcycling has become more socially acceptable. And maybe the increase in the uptake of scooters has helped.”
With son Justin now Stay Upright’s regional manager for Far North Queensland and his daughter Annaliesse managing the Sydney office, Warwick has ample time to ponder the shambolic state of regulations regarding driver training, but satisfied in the knowledge that, at least in the busier regions, training is being taken seriously.
Now resident in Cairns for much of the year, Warwick is resurrecting a full suite of Bultaco 250cc Pursangs – from the 1970 TT (Mk 1) through to the 1979 Mk XII. “I’ve got a few other bikes, but the Bultacos are my passion at the moment. There’s no hurry but with four still untouched there’s a few years’ work ahead. Meantime, Stay Upright.”
By Peter Whitaker
As appeared in AMCN Mag Vol 67 No 18
