Waze is preparing a new feature that could display cyclists in real time for drivers—thanks to an upcoming Garmin smartwatch integration. The latest version of Garmin Connect (v5.31) contains early evidence of a “Waze Location Sharing” option, suggesting that users will be able to share ride data with Waze so nearby drivers can see where cyclists are on or near the route.
At the heart of this setup is Garmin LiveTrack—a platform that already shares real-time location information. The new code found in Garmin Connect indicates that this LiveTrack data will feed into Waze, allowing drivers to be alerted when cyclists are in proximity. Users who ride will have to manually enable this feature in order to appear on the map.
How it likely works & uncertainties
While specifics are still under wraps, Waze already marks hazards on routes. It’s plausible that cyclists showing up could trigger alerts, especially at intersections or locations where visibility is limited. Exactly where, when, and how these visual or audio cues appear hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Timing is another open question. Manifesting in app code usually signals early development—far from guaranteed release. Garmin’s Connect app isn’t known to be frequently updated with major interface changes without warning, so there’s no reliable precedent for how long users might wait before this becomes available.
Background: why this matters
Cyclist safety has been a growing concern in transport and mapping tools. Drivers often rely on navigation apps like Waze to inform them of road conditions, obstacles, and potential dangers. At the same time, wearables like smartwatches (especially those from Garmin) have become central in logging health metrics, routes, and current location for commuters, athletes, and casual riders.
By allowing cyclists to broadcast their location via Garmin, Waze could bridge a gap between wearables and navigation safety applications. If drivers can see cyclists on their maps, that could reduce accidents, improve route planning, and contribute to safer streets.
This feature could also speak to wider trends: both navigation services and wearable tech expanding beyond passive tracking to support active safety measures. It follows recent additions in Waze like better motorcycle modes and more detailed hazard alerts, showing a push toward more context-aware navigation.
The road ahead involves tuning privacy settings, ensuring data accuracy, and getting buy-in from both Garmin users and Waze drivers. But the fact that this concept is being built into the code now suggests it’s not simply a wish—it could be a coming milestone in cyclist-aware navigation.
What to watch for: official announcements from Garmin or Waze, rollout details (which regions first), privacy control options, and whether cyclists are visible only to drivers in their immediate area or more broadly. Being informed and having tools like these could transform how everyone shares the road.
