He will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Ms Locco lost her husband, Frank, in 2017 and left behind three children, one of whom followed in their mother’s footsteps as a schoolteacher.

The educator had a long and successful career. She was a mathematics teacher, acting principal at Chandler Secondary College, principal at South Oakleigh Secondary College and held senior managerial roles in the Victorian Education Department including as acting regional director of the south-eastern region.

She was awarded an Australian Council for Educational Leaders fellowship last year.

The Education Department expressed the sadness they said was being felt across the Victorian education system.

“Deb was a much-loved and admired colleague … known to thousands of Victorian educators through her career,” a department spokesman said.

“She had a clear sense of purpose and deep strength of character, nowhere more evident than in the dignity and fortitude with which she faced the tragic death of her husband.”

Helen Koziaris, principal at South Oakleigh Secondary College, said the school community was grieving at the loss of “not only a professional colleague but a friend to all who shaped and drove educational change and supported staff, students and parents in their day-to-day lives”.

Beach Road has a renowned cycling trail stretching 17 kilometres of the bayside foreshore, with dedicated bike lanes.

Nine News reported the woman was wearing reflective gear, had lights on and was cycling in the bike lane.

On Sunday, police said there had been 92 deaths on Victorian roads so far this year compared to 124 at the same time in 2019.