Škoda launches Deliveroo-trialled noise-cancelling busting bike bell

Škoda, with the University of Salford, has teamed up to launch a bike bell specifically designed to penetrate those increasingly popular noise-cancelling headphones.

Trialled by Deliveroo riders, the Škoda DuoBell is thought to be the first of its type and Škoda has released its research in an open-source whitepaper, inviting wider adoption to make cities safer.

It’s not the first time the bike bell has been redesigned, but it’s probably the first revamp pitched at the noise-cancelling-headphone generation.

It’s fascinating to see a traditional automotive brand reference that, in London, cyclists are set to outnumber car drivers for the first time this year (albeit a brand that has a significant bicycle heritage). Škoda went on to note that bike–pedestrian collisions rose by 24% in 2024 (TfL data) and pointed to the use of noise-cancelling headphones as a major contributor. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) reduces awareness of approaching cyclists, posing serious danger to pedestrians and cyclists.

Developed in partnership with creative agency AMV BBDO, PHD Media’s innovation team, and production company Unit 9, Škoda’s response is a smart engineering solution: a mechanical bell that fools ANC algorithms.

Researchers and acousticians from the University of Salford worked with Škoda to conduct one of the world’s first studies examining how ANC technology affects the audibility of traditional bicycle warning bells. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works by generating counter-sounds that cancel incoming audio signals, meaning everyday alerts, including traditional bike bells, can be filtered out before reaching the listener.

The science

Through acoustic testing, the research team identified a narrow frequency band, or “safety gap”, of between 750Hz and 780Hz’ that consistently penetrates ANC filters. As a result, the new DuoBell can be heard up to 5 seconds earlier and up to 22 meters further away than a standard bike bell, we’re told. By combining this with a second resonator tuned to a higher frequency, and a specially designed striking mechanism that produces rapid, irregular impacts, the bell generates sound waves that are designed to fool the ANC algorithms.

Škoda’s DuoBell is designed to be simple and affordable to manufacture, so it could be coming to your bike bell manufacturer of choice soon.

The bell has been tested to achieve efficiency through real-world trials with partners operating in busy urban environments. A two-week trial using a fleet of Deliveroo riders who depend on road safety daily was also completed. By providing feedback from their daily on-road use, the riders helped to shape the final prototype. One Deliveroo rider championed the DuoBell, saying that with the tech, “he finally had a voice in the streets”. Trials found that pedestrians wearing ANC headphones had as much as 5 seconds earlier and up to 22 meters to react when the bell was activated, providing a critical safety margin*.

An influencer-led awareness campaign featuring Professor Hannah Fry and delivery driver London Hustle is running throughout April across social media channels, with additional content launching later in the month.

Škoda’s cycling heritage dates back over 130 years, having started life as a bicycle manufacturer in 1895. Today, the Czech brand supports dozens of international cycling events, including La Vuelta, the Tour de France Femmes, and, for more than 20 years now, the Tour de France.

Meredith Kelly, Head of Global Marketing, Škoda, said: “Exploration has always been at the heart of Škoda. As the brand continues to grow, we’re constantly looking for new ways to support people as they move through the world. This project is a great example of how a simply clever idea can help make that exploration safer for everyone.”

Ben Edwards and Guy Hobbs, AMV BBDO, said: “Bike bells have barely changed in a hundred years, but the world around them has. Škoda DuoBell is the first-ever bell designed to cut through noise-cancelling headphones. A clever analogue hack that outsmarts the AI algorithms inside them. It’s one tweak that will make city streets safer.”

Dr Will Bailey, University of Salford, said: “This project uncovered something fascinating about how we experience sound in modern environments. We’re proud to have worked with Škoda to turn that insight into something practical that could make a real difference to safety in our cities.”