A cyclist has been taken to hospital with serious head injuries after tangling with a possum north of Brisbane.

Paramedics were called to Eagle Terrace in Shorncliffe about 5.20am to a report the man, believed to be in his 50s, may have collided with the possum before crashing his bike.

Paramedics were told the man may have hit the possum before crashing.

A spokeswoman said the man had head injuries, concussion and his helmet was seriously damaged.

The man was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a serious condition.