Garmin has partnered with navigation app Waze to introduce a new feature designed to alert motorists to the presence of nearby cyclists, with the aim of improving road safety and encouraging safer sharing of road space.
The collaboration will allow cyclists using compatible Garmin Edge devices with LiveTrack functionality to appear as moving icons on Waze’s in-car navigation maps, giving drivers real-time visibility of riders in their vicinity.
Cyclists will need to opt in to the feature, while location sharing will be temporary and session-based. Personal details will not be displayed to Waze, according to the companies.
Garmin describes the collaboration as the first of its kind and says it is intended to improve awareness between different road users by providing motorists with an additional warning of cyclists ahead.
Susan Layman, Garmin’s vice-president of consumer sales and marketing, said:
“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.”
Gai Berkovich, vice-president and general manager of Waze, added:
“Safety is a top priority for Waze, and we’re excited to collaborate with Garmin to help keep cyclists safer on the road. By bringing Live Cycling Alerts to Waze, we’re giving drivers a helpful heads-up so they can slow down, stay aware and safely share the road.”
The feature represents another use of connected vehicle and navigation technology to improve awareness of vulnerable road users, although its effectiveness will depend on uptake among cyclists and the availability of compatible devices.
By bringing cyclist location information into motorists’ navigation displays, the partnership aims to give drivers more opportunity to anticipate the presence of riders and adjust their driving accordingly.
(Picture: WMCA)
