A cyclist is dead after he was struck by a car near Bendigo on Tuesday evening.

Police believe a blue Holden Commodore station wagon hit the male cyclist near the Calder Highway about 6.25pm. The car was travelling east on Fogartys Gap Road in Ravenswood.

The driver aged in his 60s was arrested and is in custody. The cyclist died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

The Major Collision Investigation Unit [MCIU] is investigating the collision and want to speak to any witnesses.