Cyclist in NSW crash wasn't wearing helmet

A cyclist who is in a critical condition after colliding with a 4WD south of Wollongong wasn't wearing a helmet, police say.

The 51-year-old man was unconscious on the roadway when emergency Services arrived at the intersection in Lake Illawarra on Wednesday evening.

He was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Local Area Commander Superintendent Mark Scott told ABC Radio on Thursday the cyclist was not wearing a helmet and had no lights on his bike.

The 22-year-old male driver and four passengers in the car, including a baby, were uninjured.