A Palmerston North man was taken to hospital with head injuries after he was hit by a car during rush hour traffic.

The 32-year-old man was cycling south on Fitzherbert Ave, on his way to work at Massey University, about 8.45am today when he was hit by a northbound car that was turning into Palm Ave.

Acting Sergeant Spot Lowe said the man suffered minor head injuries when he was knocked off his bike.

"He's a little disoriented,'' Mr Lowe said. "With his head injury, we don't really know the full extent of it. He just seems a little dazed.''

Mr Lowe said it appeared the car driver's visibility may have been affected by the busy morning traffic and the poor weather.

"It sounds like the traffic has tried to give her access to come through and she hasn't seen the cyclist,'' Mr Lowe said.

The bike was removed by a friend of the injured man before emergency services arrived.

The woman driving the car was visibly shaken.

Mr Lowe said she was travelling at a low speed as she rounded the corner.

The crash highlighted the need for motorists to pay attention to cyclists, he said.

He also said high-visibility clothing was necessary for cyclists, particularly in bad weather, as the injured man was wearing dark clothes.

- © Fairfax NZ News