Garmin and Waze Launch Cyclist Alerts: Can They Make E-Bike Riding Safer?

Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Kristina

November 11, 2026 — E-Bike Technology and Safety. Could a navigation app help drivers notice a cyclist before they come into view? Garmin and Waze announced a new collaboration on November 10, 2026 that lets cyclists with compatible Garmin devices voluntarily share their live riding location with nearby drivers using Waze.

With Garmin’s LiveTrack feature running during an outdoor cycling activity, participating riders can appear as a moving cyclist symbol on Waze. Drivers can receive an on-screen and audible warning as they approach. For e-bike riders who already use a compatible Garmin cycling computer or smartwatch, this could add another layer of awareness during a ride—but it does not make every cyclist visible to every driver.

Important limitation: Waze’s own help page states that cyclist alerts are designed for high-speed and rural roads and do not appear in urban areas. The companies announced a global rollout, but Waze says the feature may not be available in every country. That’s a significant distinction for city e-bike commuters.

Garmin and Waze Cyclist Alerts: Quick Facts

Question	What has been confirmed
Announcement date	November 10, 2026
Who shares a location?	Cyclists using a compatible Garmin Edge bike computer or Garmin smartwatch with LiveTrack and Waze sharing enabled in Garmin Connect
Who sees the alert?	Drivers using Waze when the road and other conditions qualify
What do drivers see?	A temporary moving cyclist icon and a nearby-cyclist warning; Waze also describes audio alerts
Which roads?	Designed for high-speed and rural roads; Waze says alerts do not show in urban areas
Is sharing automatic?	No; the cyclist must opt in and use LiveTrack during an outdoor cycling activity
Does it show personal information?	No name, identity or planned route is shared with drivers through Waze
Extra subscription?	Garmin confirms LiveTrack is free on compatible devices; the companies have not announced a separate subscription requirement for Waze cyclist sharing
Rollout	Rolling out through Waze for Android and iOS; availability can vary by country

How Do the New Waze Cycling Alerts Work?

The feature connects Garmin Connect’s LiveTrack location sharing with Waze, a navigation app commonly used by motorists. According to Garmin’s November 10 announcement, the basic process works like this:

1. Use a compatible Garmin device. A supported Edge cycling computer or Garmin smartwatch is paired with the Garmin Connect app on a compatible smartphone.
2. Opt in to Waze location sharing. In Garmin Connect, the rider chooses to share LiveTrack information with Waze. Simply owning a Garmin or recording a ride without choosing this option isn’t enough.
3. Begin an outdoor cycling activity with LiveTrack enabled. The rider’s live location is shared for the active session.
4. Waze alerts eligible approaching drivers. Where the feature is supported, a moving cyclist icon can appear on the map and drivers can receive a proximity notification.
5. End the ride to end sharing. Waze says the temporary alert goes away when the rider ends the Garmin activity.

LiveTrack generally depends on a compatible device, Garmin Connect, GPS and a working connection for transmitting the location. For setup details, see Garmin’s official LiveTrack support guide. Garmin has not published a comprehensive list of specific devices supporting the new Waze integration in its launch announcement; check compatibility before relying on it.

Does It Work for Electric Bikes?

The announcement describes the feature for outdoor cycling activities, rather than for a particular bicycle brand, motor or e-bike class. That makes it relevant to e-bike riders who use a supported Garmin device and a compatible outdoor cycling activity. The launch announcement does not confirm that every dedicated e-bike activity profile or every Garmin model supports Waze sharing; riders should verify the option in Garmin Connect before relying on it. This is not a built-in feature of every electric bike, and an e-bike display or ordinary phone app cannot independently send these Garmin-powered Waze alerts.

If you’re deciding whether a dedicated bike computer is useful for your riding, see EBE’s Garmin vs. Wahoo comparison and our electric bike GPS guide. The new Waze integration is one consideration, alongside maps, battery life, device compatibility and everyday navigation needs.

Will Drivers Be Warned About Every Cyclist?

No. This is not a universal bicycle-detection system. Waze alerts depend on several conditions being met:

• The cyclist has a compatible Garmin device and has deliberately enabled Waze sharing.
• An outdoor cycling LiveTrack session is active and is updating the rider’s location.
• The approaching driver is using Waze with the relevant alerts enabled.
• The road meets Waze’s alert criteria. Urban streets are excluded under current Waze guidance, and regional availability may vary.
• Location updates are available and the Waze alert can be delivered; connectivity gaps or the driver’s alert settings may affect what appears.

Waze says drivers cannot manually file a moving cyclist report on another rider’s behalf. The automated system depends on Garmin’s live location sharing; cyclists without compatible equipment will not appear through this feature.

For drivers who want to review their settings, Waze lists the controls under Settings → Alerts and reports → Reports → Cyclists. Options include Show on map and Alert while driving. When using Android Auto or CarPlay, Waze advises adjusting those preferences on the phone while disconnected from the vehicle interface.

What About Privacy?

Sharing your riding location with drivers raises reasonable privacy questions. Garmin and Waze say the feature is opt-in and session-based. Waze does not display the cyclist’s name, identity or complete planned route, and it stops sharing the temporary warning after the activity ends.

There is still a moving location symbol on the driver’s map—that is how the warning can work. Riders should understand that this involves sharing their temporary road presence rather than treating it as fully invisible or untraceable. Garmin’s separate LiveTrack sharing with invited family and friends may include additional ride information, depending on the user’s settings.

Could This Actually Make E-Bike Riding Safer?

The idea is straightforward: an advance warning may help a driver notice a cyclist sooner, especially on a fast road or a rural stretch with limited visibility. But neither company has established that the feature reduces crashes, and Waze is clear about its geographic restrictions.

It also does not replace defensive riding, appropriate lights or checking for traffic. Drivers must still look for cyclists whether or not an app sends an alert. If you ride after dark, see our e-bike lighting and visibility guide; for everyday commuting, our new e-bike commuter mistakes guide covers practical precautions beyond technology.

My Take

I like the idea of technology that makes drivers more aware of cyclists instead of putting every safety responsibility on the rider. The most promising use seems to be on faster rural roads, where an approaching driver may benefit from an extra heads-up before getting close to a bike.

Still, there’s an important catch: you need the right Garmin equipment, an active opt-in ride and a driver actually using Waze on a supported road. For someone who rides primarily in town, Waze’s statement that alerts do not appear in urban areas limits the immediate usefulness. I’d treat it as a welcome extra safety tool, not something I’d trust to make me visible or a reason by itself to buy a new device.

I’ll be interested to see whether Garmin and Waze expand support, clarify compatible models and eventually publish data showing how well the alerts work in real-world traffic.

Read More on Electric Bike Explorer

• Garmin vs. Wahoo for Electric Bikes
• Electric Bike GPS Guide
• Best Lights for Night Riding on an E-Bike
• Common E-Bike Commuting Mistakes
• More Electric Bike News and Updates

Primary sources: Garmin announcement, November 10, 2026; Waze announcement, November 10, 2026; Waze Help: Manage Cyclist Alerts; Garmin Support: LiveTrack Setup and Requirements.