Melbourne police officers succeeded where scores of action movie villains have failed when they stopped Hollywood tough guy Arnold Schwarzenegger in his tracks on Monday.

The intervention began after photographs began circulating on social media of the American actor, bodybuilder and politician riding one of Melbourne's blue share bikes.

In one picture, "The Governator" is shown giving the "hasta la vista" to motorists as he rode along Elizabeth Street towards Flinders Street Station.

The Terminator and Predator star was wearing bike-matching blue shorts, but not a bicycle helmet.