A pedestrian has been "bullied" into paying a myki fine on the spot even though he had not been using public transport, human rights lawyer Julian Burnside says.

The alleged incident took place on Collins Street in September last year, when the Melbourne man said he was approached by a Public Transport Victoria officer asking to see his myki card.

The man, who wishes to stay anonymous, told the inspector he did not have a myki because he had not been using public transport and was crossing the road.

He was then asked for ID by the inspector, who claimed to see the man step off a tram. A police officer was called over when the man refused.