A motorcyclist was seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a collision with an SUV on Highway 154 in the mountains above Santa Barbara, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Firefighters and other emergency personnel were dispatched shortly before 4 p.m. to the crash near Painted Cave Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The highway was shut down in both directions for a time after the collision while paramedics tended to the injured rider and cleared the wreckage.

Eastbound traffic was being diverted to San Marcos Road.

The motorcyclist — a 71-year-old man — suffered serious injuries, said fire Capt. Scott Safechuck.

He was taken by AMR ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

His name and details on his condition were not available.

The driver and sole occupant of the SUV declined medical treatment, Safechuck added.

Witnesses told officers that the motorcyclist was using a non-passing lane to pass other vehicles at the time of the collision, the CHP said.

The collision was under investigation by the CHP.