Waze drivers will now see cyclists who share their Garmin LiveTrack location, with cycling alerts rolling out globally on Android and iOS.
A driver gets a notification when a cyclist is nearby, a reminder to slow down and share the road. Garmin’s release says Waze has 200 million drivers around the world.
Cyclists switch it on from a compatible Garmin Edge bike computer or one of Garmin’s smartwatches, and can choose to appear on Waze as a moving icon. LiveTrack is a free feature, and sharing requires a compatible smartphone and the Garmin Connect app. Owners of Garmin smartwatches get the extra layer without buying anything.
Drivers only need Waze; they don’t need Garmin gear or a subscription. They see a temporary alert that a cyclist is nearby, never the rider’s name, identity, or exact route. The alert disappears the moment the cyclist ends the ride on the Garmin device.
Safety is a top priority for Waze, and we’re excited to collaborate with Garmin to help keep cyclists safer on the road. By bringing Live Cycling Alerts to Waze, we’re giving drivers a helpful heads-up so they can slow down, stay aware and safely share the road.
Gai Berkovich, VP and GM of Waze
Only cyclists with supported Garmin devices who opt in will appear, so a rider on any other bike computer or without a Garmin won’t show up. Neither company has said how close a cyclist must be to trigger an alert, or published evidence of how many crashes the system might prevent.
LiveTrack already let friends and family follow a rider’s location, speed, and course, and the Waze link extends the sharing to drivers with no connection to the rider. Garmin’s Varia radar works the other way, warning riders about approaching vehicles.
