A young man said he was punched in the head by a driver who was filmed shouting at cyclists outside Richmond Park.

The footage posted by Anthony Chau has been watched more than 80,000 times as of 5pm today (Wednesday, August 19).

It shows a bald man in shorts and sandals standing in the cycle lane on the approach to the park entrance at Roehampton Gate.

He approaches cyclists as they pass and tells them: 'Stay to the left'. He then turns and shouts towards a black car. Another voice is heard laughing.

Mr Chau, 23, is a graduate from Kings College London after completing his Biochemistry Master's degree earlier this year.

Accompany the video, he wrote on Twitter: "Got punched in head and quite a few others were also physically assaulted.

"Was too shaken up at the time to do anything."

Speaking with Richmond Nub News he elaborated on the incident, saying a divide is opening up between drivers and cyclists.

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He said: "The man in the video was verbally and physically harassing any cyclist that approached – both men and women.

"He was aggressive and was actively provoking individuals who rebutted him and was ready to start fights with individuals.

"At the time I was too shaken as to what had happened but immediately after I was hit, he physically grabbed a cyclist who tried to pass him on the road and almost threw the cyclist to the ground.

"Spectators in the black car and white van in the video were filming the man and cheering him on.

"I've been extremely fortunate in that this is the first 'cycling related incident' I have been in after living in London for 4 years.

"I think this clearly represents the most toxic sentiments that the general public have towards cyclists and while I applaud the city's commitment to improving cycling infrastructure, a lot more needs to be done with regards to the relationship between motorists and cyclists.

"We are all have the right to use the road, but we all need to learn to respectfully co-exist with one another."

Police appear to agree.

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The Met's Cycle Safety Team wrote this morning: "It's quite depressing to look at our Twitter feed first thing to be made aware of more outrageous behaviour towards cyclists including assaults and a young girl being injured in a park.

"Hopefully everyone is ok and getting the support they need. This has got to stop. Stay safe all."

We have contacted the police for a statement about the Roehampton Gate incident.

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