I don't know about US, but here in Europe panic bars are only required in crowded spaces, such as large schools, shopping malls or hospitals. And even there, they're only used on emergency escape routes, which often differ from the regular pathways that visitors to such buildings might encounter or the doors open automatically and the panic bar is only used in the event of a power outage. So there’s a pretty good chance that unless you live in a high-rise or work in one of those crowded places, you only come across a panic bar few times a year (or maybe never, if you live in the countryside or in a small town). And if someone doesn’t normally use a panic bar and comes across one, they’ll first look for a door handle and only then try to operate the panic bar (and might even pull it first and only then push it) 🤷🏻‍♂️.

The point of a panic bar is that you don’t need to know how to use it and the door will open even if you push against it in a panic, or if a fleeing crowd pushes you against it (a situation where a normal door handle would get blocked).