Škoda DuoBell: A smarter approach to everyday cycling safety

As cities grow busier and people become increasingly connected through technology, everyday habits like walking with headphones have become the norm. While this has reshaped how people experience their surroundings, it has also introduced new challenges for road safety. In response, Škoda Auto, in collaboration with scientists, introduces an innovative bicycle bell whose sound can penetrate even active noise cancellation systems, helping reduce the risk of collisions between cyclists and pedestrians.

The DuoBell, a bicycle bell whose sound outsmarts the algorithms of headphones equipped with active noise cancellation (ANC), has been developed by the car manufacturer in cooperation with scientists from the University of Salford. Researchers and audiologists from the University of Salford, together with Škoda, examined how ANC affects the audibility of conventional bicycle bells. The company intends to make the underlying research findings and insights publicly available, with the material intended to support broader expert discussion and contribute to increased safety in urban traffic.

Meredith Kelly, Global Head of Marketing at Škoda Auto, said: “For Škoda, exploration has always been fundamental. This project is an excellent example of how a simple, yet clever idea can help make exploration safer for everyone.”

Building on a heritage that began in 1895 with the production of bicycles, Škoda’s roots are closely tied to cycling and everyday mobility. This legacy continues to shape the brand’s approach today, inspiring solutions that respond to how people move through modern cities.

Tackling Inattention

The redesign of a safety feature that has remained largely unchanged for over a century stems from a simple, everyday observation: people are more connected to their devices than ever before. Whether commuting, exercising, or simply walking through the city, headphones have become a constant companion.

“Bicycle bells have remained almost unchanged for over a century, but the world around them has not. Škoda DuoBell is the first bell ever designed to penetrate noise-cancelling headphones. It is a smart analogue trick that outsmarts the artificial intelligence algorithms in these headphones. It is a small adjustment that will improve safety on city streets,” said Ben Edwards from AMV BBDO, the agency involved in developing the concept.

As cycling continues to grow across major cities worldwide, this trend is also reflected across the Middle East, where countries are investing in dedicated cycling infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly urban spaces. From purpose-built cycling tracks to mixed-use destinations, interactions between cyclists and pedestrians are becoming more frequent. In environments where awareness is reduced by noise-cancelling technology, traditional warning sounds can often go unnoticed.

The smart response from Škoda is DuoBell: an analogue solution to a digital problem – a fully mechanical bell that deceives smart headphone algorithms and significantly increases the likelihood that pedestrians will detect its sound.

Oliver Stefani, Head of design at Škoda Auto, said: “This project is an expression of our design principles. It´s what we call at Škoda "Simply Clever,”

Scientific Approach

The key to the success of the new design lies in understanding how noise-cancellation algorithms in headphones operate and how they can be overcome. Scientists from the University of Salford, in collaboration with Škoda Auto, therefore conducted one of the first studies to examine how ANC technology affects the audibility of traditional bicycle bells.

Through acoustic testing, researchers identified a specific frequency range, often referred to as a “safety gap,” that is less affected by ANC filtering. By tuning the bell to operate within this range, while maintaining the familiar characteristics of a traditional bell, DuoBell is able to cut through the filtered sound environment created by headphones. The design also incorporates an additional resonator and a specially engineered hammer mechanism, producing rapid and irregular strikes that make it harder for ANC systems to suppress the sound.

Measurements conducted during testing also demonstrated that pedestrians wearing active noise-cancelling headphones had up to 22 metres of additional reaction distance when DuoBell was activated, representing a crucial safety margin. In real-world trials conducted on the streets of London in February, in cooperation with Deliveroo couriers, the bell proved so effective that couriers expressed a desire to keep it.

Importantly, DuoBell is currently a fully functional prototype. The project is not centered on a commercial product at this stage, but rather on sharing insights and research that can contribute to safer mobility for everyone.

The bell prototypes were also created as a tribute to Škoda’s current Modern Solid design language. The colours, surface finishes and materials draw inspiration from solutions used in Škoda vehicles. Naturally, the bell also features the new Škoda Auto logo.

Škoda and Cycling  

More than 130 years ago, Škoda began by manufacturing bicycles, and it remains active in cycling to this day, as well known to all fans of the legendary Tour de France, being the official automotive partner of this prestigious cycling race for over 20 years. Škoda also supports other cycling events, including the renowned road races La Vuelta, Paris–Roubaix and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. For the 2026 season, the company is also a partner of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and the UCI Gravel World Championships. Cycling enthusiasts can also engage with the Škoda We Love Cycling platform.