Waze now warns drivers when a Garmin cyclist is nearby
Garmin riders using LiveTrack can opt in to appear as a moving icon in Waze, with a nearby-cyclist alert for drivers. How it works and its limits.
The skim
- What's new: Waze can now show drivers a moving icon and a "cyclist nearby" alert when a Garmin user who has opted in is riding close by.
- Who it works for: cyclists using LiveTrack on a compatible Garmin Edge bike computer or Garmin smartwatch, paired with a phone running Garmin Connect. Drivers just need the Waze app.
- Privacy: Google says drivers never see who the cyclist is or their route, and the alerts stop when the ride ends.
What's new
Garmin and Waze announced a partnership Tuesday that connects Garmin's LiveTrack location sharing to the Waze navigation app. When a cyclist starts an outdoor cycling activity on a supported Garmin device and has opted in through the Garmin Connect app, nearby Waze drivers see what Garmin calls Live Cycling Alerts: the cyclist appears as an "active, moving" icon on the map, and the driver gets a notification that a cyclist is close.
Google's Waze announcement says the alerts are "rolling out now globally on Android and iOS." Garmin calls it a "first-of-its-kind collaboration" and says Waze has 200 million drivers worldwide. Both figures are the companies' own.
How the privacy side works
According to Garmin, sharing is "temporary and session-based," and the cyclist's personal information isn't shared or displayed in Waze. Google says drivers see "only a temporary alert that a cyclist is nearby — never information about a specific cyclist or route," and that alerts turn off "the moment a cyclist ends their ride on their Garmin device."
LiveTrack already lets Garmin riders share their live location, speed and course with chosen friends and family. Garmin says the feature is free with a compatible bike computer or watch and the Garmin Connect app on a phone. This new option extends that signal, in anonymous form, to nearby drivers.
Limitations to know
- Only Garmin riders who opt in show up. As Android Authority points out, riders without a supported Garmin device, or who haven't turned the feature on, won't trigger an alert. Drivers shouldn't treat a quiet Waze screen as a clear road.
- No model list yet. Neither announcement lists which Edge computers or Garmin watches are supported, or the exact Garmin Connect setting to switch on. If you ride with a Garmin, look for the option in Garmin Connect when you set up LiveTrack, and keep your device's software up to date.
- Outdoor cycling only. Garmin describes it as sharing for outdoor cycling activities, not runs or other workouts.
- Bring your phone. Garmin's fine print says the sharing works "when used with a compatible smartphone and the Garmin Connect app."
Why it matters
Bike computers have long been able to share a rider's location with friends. Putting a heads-up in the navigation app a driver is already looking at is a more practical safety signal. It's also a notable step for Waze, which has historically relied on drivers reporting hazards like police, crashes and road debris. It doesn't replace lights, visibility or attentive driving, but it costs nothing for riders who already own the hardware.
Drivers who use Android Auto with Waze should also make sure their phone still meets Google's new minimum (how to check if your phone still works with Android Auto).
Sources: Garmin newsroom (Nov. 10, 2026); Google: Waze and Garmin cycling alerts (Nov. 10, 2026); Android Authority; MacRumors; The Verge. Not tested by Skimwire.
