Nov 12 2025

How the Veloped Helps People with Parkinson’s Stay Active: Bob Hardy’s Inspiring Story

When Parkinson’s disease entered Bob Hardy’s life, it brought with it the kind of physical and emotional challenges that would make most people slow down. But Hardy—known as The Walker Runner—had other plans.


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At 75, the Canadian endurance walker decided that Parkinson’s wouldn’t stop him from chasing his goals. Instead, it inspired him to redefine what staying active means with the help of his trusted companion: the Trionic Veloped.

From Setback to Comeback

A lifelong advocate for active aging, Hardy has made it his mission to “keep getting older, going faster—and further.” Despite the tremors, stiffness, and balance issues brought on by Parkinson’s, he continues to compete in walking races. His most recent milestone, Bucket List #5—a 5 km race—was completed in 36 minutes and 19 seconds, at an impressive 6.7 km/h pace.

But beyond the time and distance, it’s the journey itself that stands out. Hardy credits his progress to his Trionic Veloped, calling it the perfect training partner for life with Parkinson’s. “Parkinson’s changes your stride, balance, and confidence,” he explains. “The Veloped gives me my feedback—rhythm, stability, and trust. It’s not a cure, but it’s the right tool so I can keep going.”

The Right Tool for the Right Challenge

Unlike traditional walkers or rollators, the Trionic Veloped was designed with real-world movement in mind. It’s an all-terrain, stability-focused rollator that adapts to a user’s environment rather than limiting them to smooth, flat surfaces. With its large pneumatic tyres, low center of gravity, and wide, stable frame, the Veloped provides unmatched comfort and security on uneven ground, curbs, and trails.

For people living with Parkinson’s, these features make all the difference. The ergonomic grips and responsive brakes offer control and confidence, while the open, outdoor-friendly design reduces postural instability and the risk of tipping—common challenges in Parkinson’s mobility.

“The Veloped lets me focus on my stride instead of fighting the surface,” says Hardy. “It supports me without doing the work for me. That’s important—it keeps me training, upright, and moving with purpose.”

Staying Active with Parkinson’s

Exercise is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to manage Parkinson’s symptoms and slow the progression of mobility loss. However, many patients face obstacles such as balance issues and fear of falling. The Veloped’s unique engineering helps bridge that gap, encouraging safe movement while maintaining independence and confidence.

“My racing world changed when I moved to an all-terrain platform,” Hardy shares. “It allows me to train safely and consistently. The Veloped gives me stability, rhythm, and a sense of normalcy.”

Empowering Movement, One Step at a Time

While the Trionic Veloped is not a medical treatment or diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease, it has become an empowering mobility solution for people who want to keep moving despite the challenges. By combining intelligent design with a passion for real-world activity, Trionic enables users like Bob Hardy to reclaim their mobility, rediscover the outdoors, and continue living with purpose.

As Hardy puts it: “The Veloped doesn’t do the work for me—it makes the work possible.”

Product Reviews    

  • THE best…

    All round great/ fantastic unit. Easy to use, and gets around shops etc with very good manoeuvring. Folds up small. Very happy. I find it's pretty good off-road too.

    I also have a three-wheel Trionic Veloped 14er which is more stable and tougher a…

  • An efficient and reliable delivery……

    An efficient and reliable delivery service.
    I have a dropped foot and weak muscle power in legs. The Veloped has made walking over most terrain a possibility and has returned to me the joy of taking walks. Apart from pushing uphill definitely improv…

  • Mrs Vivienne Williams…

    My 12er Walker is great and has made such a difference in helping me walk much longer distances.

    I have back and left leg long-standing painful issues so trying to keep mobile is vitally important and this Walker is really helping me.

    I’m very…

  • A big piece of extra freedom…

    I am very satisfied with the Veloped Trek!
    My shoulders and arms, which used to get all the shocks from every unevenness of the ground with a quite good but common rollator, could now relax. It is also very smooth, and walking is no longer so strenu…

  • Walking every week now!…

    My Veloped Sport has allowed me to enjoy walking again! I'm 59yrs. old and have cerebral palsy. I was having a hard time walking without some sort of mobility aid. Typical walkers limited where I could go walking. My Veloped Sport can go almost anywh…

  • Good Robust Walking Aid…

    I am very pleased with my new Trionic walker. The main reason I bought it was that my previous walker had small solid tyred wheels and was very uncomfortable on my arms and wrists particularly if the ground was uneven.

    My Trionic walker with its p…

  • I am absolutely thrilled with my Walker 12er.…

    I am absolutely thrilled with my Walker 12er. A fantastic finish, a modern design. It has attracted a lot of attention both in public places and on the Underground, attracting praise and appreciation for both its appearance and workmanship, thus conf…

  • 5 Stars

    I can't get around comfortably without my Trionic Veloped.…

  • Works exactly how it was designed…

    I bought the rain cover not to protect the Veloped from getting wet, rather to keep debris that could collect on it inside the garage.…

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