A cyclist was wearing high-visibility clothing and riding in a bike lane on a winter's afternoon when he was hit and killed by a driver who allegedly then removed his own clothing and fled, a court has heard.

New Zealand national Peter McGuffie, 54, died when hit from behind while riding along Barkly Street in West Footscray about 3.15pm on June 23.

Matthew O'Connor is accused of killing cyclist Peter McGuffie, 54, in a hit and run on Barkly Street, West Footscray.

Mr McGuffie was wearing a fluorescent vest and kneepads and the visibility and road conditions were good, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday.

"It was one of those situations where one could ask the rhetorical question 'how could you not see him'," prosecutor Sandra MacDougall told the court.