BRITAIN'S Got Talent star Joe Oakley has wowed crowds with bike tricks - including jumping off a balcony - at the opening of Derby's new cycle hub.
The semi-finalist from the 2009 edition of the show said he did not believe he had ever seen anything like the Park Bikeworks, in Full Street.
It opened this morning and includes free secure cycle parking, showers, changing facilities, physiotherapy, repairs service, cycle and accessories, and café deli.
Joe, 22, of Nottingham, said of the centre: "I'm really impressed. It's certainly something I would use if I was coming into town or commuting to work on my bike.
"You could have a shower before you go into work and then have somewhere safe to store your bike."
Joe said of his time on Britain's Got Talent: "It certainly helped me in terms of helping me get work and it got more exposure for the sport as well."
He delighted dozens of onlookers by balancing on the building's balcony railing on his bike and then down onto a car.
Other tricks included leaping over a road barrier and jumping and spinning over a man laid on the floor.
The £670,000 Park Bikeworks has been the brainchild of Mark Smith, from Cycle Derby, and Simon Ingham, from Bennetts.
Mark said this morning that he was feeling "emotional", four years after the idea for the site was first thought up.
He said: "There were people waiting outside to come in at 8am in the morning."
Chris Elkin, 42, of Wiltra Grove, Duffield, was one of those enjoying the café.
He said the Bikeworks was another step towards making Derby the country's second cycling city, after Manchester.
Mr Elkin said: "There's a very strong cycling community in Derby. This will bring us all together."
