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 tires, 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    

  • Walker 14er - Very useful product…

    I have used the walker several times.
    It is easy to assemble and disassemble without help and it can be stored in the boot.
    Lightness, synchronisation of the front wheels and large tyres make it easier to walk even on uneven surfaces, it has numero…

  • My Trionic has changed my life!…

    My Trionic has changed my life.

    I love the outdoors, and a recent holiday to Dorset meant that i could walk places with my partner that I've not been able to access in years, because of my arthritis, and other walkers were not up to the job. The …

  • Totally satisfied…

    The Veloped Trek is simply great. It climbs up the kerbs effortlessly and runs perfectly off-road. This is important for me because we have 2 dogs and therefore we also walk in the forest and field.

    It's super easy to use as well as to adjust the …

  • The Veloped Sport…

    The Veloped Sport. I've had mine for a month now and am thrilled with it! I was a keen walker before I broke my pelvis and ended up with permanent nerve damage in my leg. I have been working to get as mobile as possible. Although I can walk with one …

  • Walker 12er—a complete success…

    Many things at Trionic have made me enthusiastic:
    1. excellent service, there is none better
    2. well thought out technilogy
    3. light weight and maneuverability
    4. easy folding and unfolding

    Since I do not use the Walker myself, but gave it to …

  • This has proven to be better than expected…

    I did a lot of research about rollators as I have many disabilities with my base condition being HMS. I also have some cognitive challenges now as well as balance issues and my specialist appointments are not until 2022. Some of my balance issues hav…

  • Expensive but unmatched performance…

    I already had a pretty good rollator with hard rubber wheels a little less robust build. But on rough surfaces like my street or even worse trails, all the vibrations go straight to my arms - very uncomfortable. The Veloped solves all that with a stu…

  • A First Class Product…

    My wife has just come out of hospital after suffering a very bad attack of vertigo. While in hospital, it was also discovered that my wife has suffered from cerebral palsy since birth. This now explains why she has such poor balance and has always re…

  • Great Walker…

    Very stable 12-inch walker.
    Folding it, especially in the tram, is not easy.
    I go to a day centre in Vienna and do a lot of advertising.…

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