Michael, 18, had left work on his bike to get lunch when he was killed in a collision with a truck in Golden Square on Friday.

Below is the family's statement in full:

"As a family, our hearts are broken.

"Michael was only 18 years old with the world at his feet.

"A normal day at work ended in tragedy when he set off on his bike to get lunch.

"Riding along, he never made it back to work.

"Michael was the 4th generation in the Keating Transport family business. He managed the warehouses as a progression up thru the business.

"He had an ability to back the B Doubles around the yard that not many 'kids' have, along with organising loads, he was well on his way to lead the business in years to come.

"Through the school, Michael developed a passion building and racing HPV trikes, receiving an award for his efforts in 2018.

"Michael was also a devoted player for Eaglehawk Hockey Club & Central Victorian Blazers/Nth West Lightning.

"We thank everyone for their thoughts and respectively ask that we now grieve for our Michael in private."

EARLIER: RESERVED, supportive and friendly.

That's how friends have remembered the 18-year-old man killed while riding his bike in Golden Square today.

Michael Keating was part of Bendigo's hockey community.

Eaglehawk Hockey Club president Ross Trimble said the young man, known to his mates as 'Keato', had been part of the club community for seven years.

"He commenced playing in the under 13 juniors, progressing through to Senior B and A Men and also represented the region in the Central Victoria Blazers and North West Lightning squads," Mr Trimble said.

"'Keato' was a reserved, supportive and friendly person who played a solid defensive game, being an integral part of our teams."

Mr Trimble said Michael took up coaching this year to help the club's under 17 juniors.

"With his positive and calm nature, he was well respected by all," the club president said.

"The family is a well loved, dedicated, hardworking backbone of the Eaglehawk Hockey Club.

"Our deepest condolences go to our fellow club members, Michael's parents Glenn and Sue, and siblings Nat and Jono on the loss of their loved son and brother."

The crash happened at the intersection of Hattam Street and Woodward Road about 12.10pm.

Michael died at the scene.

Road closures were in place on Hattam Street and Woodward Road for most of the day.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating.

Michael was the 145th person killed on Victorian roads this year.

A 92-year-old man died earlier this week after an unrelated crash at Kyneton, which occurred last Friday.

Wedderburn man Ray Meadows and his guide dog Gerry died last Sunday after being hit by an oncoming car while walking along the side of the Calder Highway.

Emergency services also responded to a number of other crashes in Bendigo today involving people who were taken to hospital with injuries.

Road authorities, emergency services, researchers, politicians and those affected by road trauma gathered in Melbourne last Friday for a forum on road safety as trauma statistics continued to climb.

Today marked the start of a statewide policing operation aimed at reducing road trauma during the Queen's Birthday long weekend.

The four-day operation has several areas of focus, including impaired driving, increased traffic on rural roads, towing trailers and caravans, and trail bike riding in state forests and parks.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane urged road users to work with emergency services to reduce road trauma.

"Police are doing everything we can to curve bad driver behaviour. But without the support and a change in the way people choose to drive we will continue to see carnage on our roads," he said.

He said the number of lives lost on the road would continue to skyrocket if the community continued to believe it would not happen to them.

RELATED: Motorists on notice as state road toll soars

Fifty-six more people have lost their lives on the road this year than last year.

People are questioning whether a sense of complacency is contributing to the road toll.

"Every day police continue to attend crash scenes where people have consciously chosen to speed, not wear their seatbelt or drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol," the assistant commissioner said.

"If you choose to drive this way and something tragic happens, you are ultimately choosing to put your family and friends through an unimaginable amount of pain."

Operation Regal ends at 11.59pm Monday.

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