I never worry about it, treat all wildlife with respect, have had a great many encounters whith bears. I usually leave the area when you see to much "sign". Been mock charged a few times and have shared many a Salmon and Steelhead stretch of water without serious incident. Just don't get to paranoid about wildlife, don't act like prey, as was mentioned you seldom see them. I remember walking a trail in BC back from a lake and encountering a couple of guys writhing on the ground. They saw a bear and unleashed bear spray... into the wind. Took 3 trips back and forth to fetch water before thy could function. So called bear protection can be dangerous, as can firearms in the wrong hands. And as far as bear bells go, I remember reading that bears in Livingstone where attracted to hikers that wore bears and the yummy sandwiches they dropped. Dad taught me to walk with authority in the bush. Be heard and listen. as in all things inattention and inexperience will get you in trouble.
I must say the worst problems I have seen where with people with dogs that had poor training.
Dog finds bear
Dog irritates bear.
Dog chases bear.
Dog runs to master.
Multitude of problems develop.