Waze Alerts Drivers to Nearby Cyclists Worldwide
Cyclists using Garmin LiveTrack can opt in so nearby drivers receive a temporary alert about them on the road.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Cycling
Live Poll
Would you want your driving app to alert you when cyclists are nearby?
Waze has launched real-time cycling alerts that notify drivers when a cyclist is nearby, using Garmin LiveTrack, and the feature is rolling out globally to iOS and Android users. Cyclists must opt in, and drivers see only a temporary alert without the cyclist's name, identity, or exact route.
Why it matters
The stated purpose is to create a safer environment on the road for people riding bikes alongside drivers. Because the alert is opt-in and shares no identifying details, it attempts to raise driver awareness without exposing the cyclist's personal information.
No study, trial, or hard data was reported in the source material, so the claim that the feature creates a safer environment rests on its stated purpose rather than measured outcomes. Its safety effect has not been independently evaluated in the information available.
The players
Waze
Waze is a navigation app owned by Google that provides real-time traffic and road-hazard reporting to drivers.
Garmin
Garmin is a manufacturer of GPS devices, bike computers, and smartwatches widely used by cyclists for tracking rides.
The details
Cyclists enable Garmin LiveTrack on a Garmin Edge bike computer or Garmin smartwatch and choose to appear in Waze. Once active, a cyclist shows up in Waze as a real-time moving icon, and nearby drivers receive a notification that a cyclist is close by. The alert is temporary, and it turns off automatically when the cyclist ends the ride on the Garmin device.
Timeline
Waze and Garmin announced the cycling alerts on November 10, 2026.
The alerts are rolling out globally to Waze on iOS and Android.
Health Landscape
Cycling is widely promoted for its cardiovascular and mental health benefits, and road safety remains a central barrier to more people riding. Driver-facing alerts like this one add a new layer to the existing effort to reduce cyclist injuries on shared roads.
If you ride, enabling Garmin LiveTrack and opting into Waze may add a layer of protection on roads where drivers are unaware of you. Anyone who drives should be aware that cyclists may now appear as nearby alerts, and it is worth reviewing the feature with your riding group.
The takeaway
Road-safety tools that increase driver awareness can complement, but do not replace, visibility gear and defensive riding. If you are considering the feature, it is worth discussing general cycling safety practices with your physician or a certified cycling coach.
Further reading
For more on the riders these alerts are meant to protect, explore our Cycling coverage.
Live Poll
Would you want your driving app to alert you when cyclists are nearby?
