Waze have launched a dedicated motorcycle mode, giving riders bike-specific routing and hazard warnings within the free navigation app for the first time.
Until now, Waze has been a popular smartphone alternative to Google Maps but wasn’t aimed specifically at motorcyclists. This update changes that, using AI to build routes suited to two-wheelers rather than simply handing riders the same directions a car would get.
The firm say motorcycles need different routes to cars because they can use narrower streets and are more affected by road surfaces. Motorcycle mode factors in shortcuts and restrictions relevant to bikes, which Waze claim delivers a better route and a more accurate ETA.
Just as importantly for riders, the mode flags hazards that catch bikes out. That includes potholes, speed bumps, raised crossings, shoulder endings and narrow bridges. The warnings draw on Waze’s real-time traffic data along with a dedicated group of motorcycle map editors who add new hazards as they appear.
Waze is powered by user-supplied information, particularly for traffic and hazard reporting – a strength MCN has previously highlighted, noting that the app’s traffic avoidance “is among the best out there” and that its open-source map data means it can be updated quickly as new roads are built.
Waze’s motorcycle mode is available in the UK now for free. We’ll be trying it out in the coming months to find out if it’s any good.
Plenty of riders already use Waze in car mode and so if this makes the experience better, that’s a result. Motorcycle-specific sat navs can be pricey and with Waze you can just buy a handlebar mount and use your existing phone for free – so it’s a win for those on a tight budget, too.
Ben Clarke began riding (legally) at 21-years-old when he passed his direct access one month before shipping his Yamaha XT660 R to Miami and embarking on a 13,500-mile tour of the USA and Central America. He's worked at MCN for the last six years, riding everything from super nakeds and superbikes to small-capacity electrics and scooters across several continents. In more recent years, he's worked closely with the bike kit team to bring you all the latest news and reviews about the bike-related products we all use every day.
Lover of V-twins and big singles, partial to a tour