Škoda DuoBell helps cyclists cut through noise-cancelling headphones

Škoda Auto has unveiled the DuoBell, an innovative bicycle bell designed to be heard even by pedestrians wearing headphones with active noise cancellation. Developed together with scientists and audiologists from the University of Salford, the DuoBell is a clever mechanical solution created to improve safety for both cyclists and pedestrians in busy urban areas.

As more people cycle in major cities, the risk of accidents with distracted pedestrians is also rising. In London alone, incidents between cyclists and inattentive pedestrians increased by 24% in 2024, while up to half of pedestrians on the streets are believed to wear headphones, many with active noise cancellation that can block out the sound of a standard bike bell.

That is where the DuoBell comes in. Rather than relying on digital tech, it uses a specially developed sound profile that can bypass the algorithms used in smart headphones. Testing showed that pedestrians wearing active noise-cancelling headphones had up to 22 metres of extra reaction distance when the DuoBell was used, giving them more time to respond and helping reduce the chance of a collision.

The bell was trialled on the streets of London in February with Deliveroo couriers, who found it highly effective in real-world use. Its prototype design also takes cues from Škoda’s Modern Solid design language, with finishes, materials and details inspired by Škoda vehicles.

Škoda also plans to make the research behind the DuoBell publicly available to support wider conversations around road safety and smarter urban mobility.

Škoda also plans to make the research behind the DuoBell publicly available to support wider conversations around road safety and smarter urban mobility.