Škoda launches DuoBell bike bell that pierces noise‑cancelling headphones

Škoda Auto unveiled the DuoBell, a bike bell engineered to cut through active‑noise‑cancelling headphones, aiming to lower cyclist‑pedestrian collisions. ^[1]

Pedestrians wearing the devices often cannot hear traditional bells—raising safety concerns as city streets see more head‑phone‑related crashes. Škoda said the DuoBell addresses that gap by delivering a tone that penetrates the cancelling circuitry. ^{[1] [2]}

The bell was co‑developed with the University of Salford in Manchester, where acoustic engineers tuned the ring to sit just above the frequency range that most active‑cancelling algorithms suppress. Škoda said the partnership combined automotive sound‑design expertise with academic research on psychoacoustics. ^{[1] [3]}

Technically, the DuoBell uses a resonant chamber and a directional speaker that emit a narrow‑band signal calibrated to be audible even when headphones are set to maximum noise reduction. Tests showed the tone registered on standard headphone microphones at levels 12 decibels louder than a conventional bell. The DuoBell can be heard through active‑noise‑cancelling headphones. ^[2]

A field trial in early 2026 placed the prototype on dozens of Deliveroo riders in London and Manchester. Riders reported that the bell cut through their earbuds even on the busiest routes, and a post‑trial survey indicated a 30 percent drop in near‑miss incidents compared with riders using standard bells. Deliveroo riders reported the bell was audible even with volume‑maxed headphones. ^[3]

Škoda hopes the device will become a standard safety feature for cyclists worldwide and plans to seek safety‑regulation approval later this year. If adopted broadly, the DuoBell could reshape how urban cyclists and pedestrians interact in an increasingly headphone‑centric environment. ^[2]