Waze and Garmin Partner to Display Cyclist Locations in Israel
Waze and Garmin have partnered in Israel to display real-time cyclist locations on navigation maps, boosting road safety as cycling injuries rise.
Waze and Garmin have launched a groundbreaking partnership in Israel aimed at preventing road accidents involving cyclists. Under the new integration, the real-time GPS locations of cyclists using Garmin sports watches and Edge cycling computers will appear directly on the Waze navigation map for nearby drivers.
The feature upgrades Garmin's existing LiveTrack function, allowing cyclists to share their positions. To participate, riders must manually enable the feature via the Garmin Connect mobile app and grant permission to share location data with Waze. For strict privacy reasons, the information displayed to drivers is limited strictly to the geographical location on the map, excluding names, profile pictures, or any identifying details about the cyclist.
The service is available in Israel at no additional cost and supports all Garmin watches and Edge cycling devices that feature LiveTrack. The system operates on GPS-based cycling profiles—including road, mountain, and electric bikes—though it does not support indoor workouts. Ronlight Health, Garmin's official importer in Israel, noted that the feature previously served to share locations with family members, and is now expanding to alert nearby motorists in advance.
Safety Data and Background
The significance of this initiative is underscored by alarming road safety statistics. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics and the National Road Safety Authority, 149 cyclists have been injured in road accidents since the beginning of 2026, with nine fatalities. These figures contribute to a troubling overall picture on Israeli roads, where two-wheeled vehicle accidents on shoulders and intercity roads represent one of the most lethal hazards.
Ofir Kindler, Vice President of Marketing at Ronlight Health, emphasized that the collaboration adds an essential layer to rider protection. "The partnership with Waze extends visibility to nearby drivers, allowing them to spot cyclists well in advance. This is another tool in Garmin's safety ecosystem, alongside Varia radars that warn of approaching vehicles, road hazard alerts, and incident detection that automatically sends alerts in the event of a crash, all to protect the lives of riders," Kindler stated.
Algorithmic Limitations and Privacy
Despite the safety benefits, there are important caveats. Displaying cyclists on the map is not guaranteed at every second. The agreement between the companies specifies that displaying riders is subject to Waze's algorithmic filtering system, which regulates visual clutter on the map to prevent driver distraction. Consequently, in particularly congested areas, a cyclist's location might not appear continuously, meaning riders must not rely solely on the app as a substitute for cautious riding, reflectors, and proper lighting.
