AFL great James Hird has revealed he broke his leg and shattered his wrist in 20 places after being hit while riding his bike in Melbourne.

Hird is understood to have been struck by a turning car on Burnley Street in Richmond shortly before 3pm on Wednesday, with the Herald Sun reporting he required surgery for his injuries.

“When my wrist was sort of going sideways I realised there was something wrong,“ the 45-year-old told the newspaper from hospital, where he is recovering.