Young bikers got in line at the ribbon cutting for a new �50,000 cycle link on Monday.

The route linking the Byes to Sidmouth College was officially opened after a display of cycling prowess from one of Britain’s top mountain bike trials riders.

New college principal Kenny Duncan said: “I’m so pleased that we’ve got this new cycleway instead of kids having to get their parents to drop them off in the car.

“More than anything it showed that biking can be fun”

Joe Seddon wowed the crowd, who gathered in the college’s sports hall ahead of the ribbon cutting.

Mr Duncan was invited to participate in the demonstration, and found a trials bike being expertly manoeuvred around his body.

“I’ve seen trials biking on TV but it’s completely different in person, especially from the floor,” he said.

As a keen cyclist himself, Mr Duncan added he had ‘seen the inside of a hospital too often’ to try the stunts himself, but was keen to support anything that gets children riding bikes.

The demonstration was the second time eager young trials biker Connor Fitch had seen the team.

“They came to school when I was in year seven and I wanted a trials bike then but my mum wouldn’t let me,” said the 15-year-old.

The team that brought the demonstration into the school were raised in Exeter, and frequently work with Devon County Council (DCC) to inspire kids to exercise and enjoy themselves as they do it.

The route was constructed and funded by DCC over the summer, with the cycling charity Sustrans contributing towards two bike storage compounds.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, DCC cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “We’re so fortunate to have such a beautiful area as the Byes so close to the town centre, so this link will help to encourage more students to cycle and walk to and from college.

“After the Olympics, this rounds off the British summer of cycling nicely.”

Local Transport Plan funding will contribute to the long-term aim of extending the cycle network to Sidbury over the next three years.