The man ran down the Mair Street ramp at the station and into traffic, after reportedly being found with spray paint, when he was struck by a Holden Commodore heading towards Lydiard Street just after 5pm.

Paramedics attended the scene where they treated the man for leg injuries.

He was placed on a spinal board before being taken to Ballarat Base Hospital.

Police said the man's injuries as non-life-threatening and will investigate the incident.

The PSO officers at the scene would not comment on why he was being chased, but there was a bag with spray paint where the man and two others were spotted.

Two other men were interviewed by police at the scene, with at least one believed to have also attempted to escape PSOs as well.

A witness said the man was lucky traffic was usually slow on Mair Street, because "it might have saved him".

Two ambulances and two MICA units attended the scene.