A knifeman who lunged towards two cyclists in an angry confrontation beside the Regent’s Canal is being hunted by police.

Shocking mobile phone footage taken by the victim shows the suspect pull a knife from his pocket before rushing at the couple, who were enjoying a cycle ride together.

The victim, an estate agent from Brixton, said the angry clash came about after he asked the man to move to one side to let them pass by.

The victim, who asked not to be named, said the man "just flipped out" in the attack near London Zoo on August 12.

He told the Standard: “Me and my girlfriend were cycling on the left-hand-side, and other cyclists were coming towards us from the other way.

“He was in the way and just wasn’t going to move, so I told him that it was left-hand-side traffic. Then he just flipped out.”

The victim managed to film the incident on his phone, but he said in the panic it was left on mute.

“He pulled out an envelope from his pocket after shouting at me. It had a knife in it. Then he started launching at me with it.

“I threw my Boris bike at him to protect myself.”

He added: “I didn’t run and we wasn’t scared. Maybe that’s my stupidity... but I want him to be caught and wanted to get a photo of him.”

"He shouted this is my neighbourhood... I rule the neighbourhood” after he was asked to move.

He added: “There were lots of people around, and some called the police. He disappeared just before the police arrived.”

No one was injured.

The suspect made off towards Lisson Green Estate, Scotland Yard has said. Officers are appealing for information.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The two victims, a man and a woman, were cycling along the tow path when the woman got into an argument with the suspect who had come from in the opposite direction.

"The suspect then pulled a knife from his pocket and threatened the victims, swinging at them with the knife."

He added: "There have been no arrests and enquiries continue."

If you have any information about this incident or the suspect, please call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 11, or Tweet via @MetCC.