Garmin is taking LiveTrack beyond friends and family. The company has announced a new integration with the Waze driving app that lets compatible Garmin devices share a riders real-time position with nearby drivers. The idea is simple: if a cyclist is on the road ahead, Waze can show that rider as a moving alert so drivers know theyre there before theyre right on top of them. For riders, it adds another layer of visibility without requiring anything extra on the bike. Just LiveTrack, a compatible Garmin device, and a phone.(Photo/Screenshot of Waze website)How Garmin + Waze Live Cycling Alerts WorkThe feature builds on Garmin LiveTrack, which has traditionally let friends and family follow a riders location, speed, route, and other ride information in real time.Now, riders can opt in through Garmin Connect to share their LiveTrack position with Waze while recording a ride. When a participating rider (you have to opt in) is nearby, Waze shows drivers using the app an active, moving cycling icon on the road.Location sharing is temporary and tied to the activity session. Garmin says it doesnt display or share the cyclists personal information with Waze drivers. Drivers dont see your name, profile, or other identifying information. They just get an alert that a cyclist is moving nearby. Safety is a top priority for Waze, and were excited to collaborate with Garmin to help keep cyclists safer on the road. By bringing Live Cycling Alerts to Waze, were 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(Photo/Garmin)You Have to Opt InGarmin doesnt quietly turn this on in the background. Riders have to enable the feature through Garmin Connect, and LiveTrack still requires a compatible Garmin Edge cycling computer or smartwatch paired with a smartphone.Once enabled, sharing happens only during the outdoor cycling activity. The Waze integration is more like an extension of LiveTrack than an entirely new safety system. Importantly, it keeps control with the rider.Garmin is well-known in the cycling industry for its safety-focused products and features, and we are excited to work with Waze to bring this unique feature to cyclists and drivers alike. By increasing awareness between cyclists and motorists, this new tool is designed to foster a safer riding environment for Garmin customers by giving drivers valuable real-time visibility to their whereabouts, helping to create a more connected experience for everyone on the road.Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing(Photo?Lezyne)A Step ForwardMost cyclist-safety tech has focused on helping the rider detect the car. This is a totally new approach and could be a huge step in the right direction. Volvo has a similar idea with its cyclist-detecting radar system, but this has a lower barrier to entry. Now the driver gets the warning just like any other update on Waze. Instead of relying entirely on a blinking light or waving hands. Waze can give them an earlier heads-up that someone on a bike is ahead.It wont replace being a cautious and tolerant driver (obviously), and it doesnt make every driver suddenly attentive. www.garmin.com