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…

  • The best set of wheels we could find.…

    My wife's Trionic, as I call it, has exceeded our expectations and has given my wife freedom to roam and has coped with rough and uneven ground as though it was flat! Plus whenever she wants to rest, finds the seat comfortable.

    We adjusted the h…

  • A first class product…

    I absolutely love my new Trionic Trek because it has given me back some independence. I can now access town and it skips over kerbs beautifully. So much so that you wouldn’t even know the kerb is there. I love that it is easy to switch it from city m…

  • Excellent…

    Love this, has helped me to walk further than I use to as I can sit, take a rest and walk for a bit further. It has the most comfortable seat. Highly recommend. It is also great for my elderly dog when she gets tired.…

  • Veloped Trek is an excellent help…

    With the Veloped Trek I can walk longer distances again with pleasure. It helps me to get upright so that I can breathe better again. Above all, I appreciate that with the Veloped Trek I can walk again without much effort along paths in the park, for…

  • 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…

  • They'll definitely be easy to see.…

    I haven't been out in the dark yet, but I suspect they are easy to see.…

  • Excellent Walker…

    This walker really does work exceptionally well. Very pleased with it. It lives in the back of our SUV and is used any time Ann has to walk more than a short distance.

    It doubles up as a seat with the right height to get in and out of as opposed…

  • 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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