The Bendigo woman's story is featured as part of the Transport Accident Commission's Left Unfinished exhibition.

"I can't believe we have to say this but put your phones away when driving, it's not rocket science," she said.

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The exhibition launched on Wednesday and tells the story of seven Victorians who either lost their lives, or had their lives permanently changed, by road trauma.

It features the seemingly ordinary items they left behind.

In Ms Cooper's case, it's sheet music for Brahms violin sonatas, accompanied by her story.

Ms Cooper was a renowned concert pianist, before a distracted driver knocked her off her bike in Brunswick West in 2013.

Her injuries ended her career as a professional musician.

"Drivers need to make a choice about what is important to them, is answering the phone or a message more important than someone's life?" she said.

"If I can prevent even one person to answering the phone when they are driving than it's a good thing.

"Because the guy that hit me was on his phone and I see it all the time."

TAC senior engagement manager Meg Jacobs said it was important to share stories like this in regional Victoria, the residents of which were over-represented in road trauma.

"Tragically, the majority of regional road deaths are local people who are not far from their home," she said.

"We're urging people in Bendigo to come and listen to and learn from these harrowing stories, which will serve as a reminder to all of us to never take life for granted when we get behind the wheel."

Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards said looking at the mementos in the exhibition hit close to home.

She hoped it would lead people to becoming more cautious on regional roads.

"It made me feel sad because they are all lost opportunities," she said.

Ms Edwards said this exhibition was really important to show the implications of road trauma.

"Every item in this exhibition is showing each person who has been affected by a car accident," she said.

"It is about getting a message across and that is to all people across Victoria and particularly in regional Victoria to be very careful every time you get behind the wheel in the car.

"Every time someone is killed it doesn't just affect that person, it's their family and it's their community."

A total of 126 people died on regional Victorian roads in 2020, including seven in Greater Bendigo.

The exhibition will be on display at Hargreaves Mall until Sunday.

People can also view the exhibition online at: leftunfinished.com.au/

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