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    

  • Les Connett…

    I wanted an all-terrain rollator and researched the market, eventually selecting the Trionic 12er. The design and construction are impressive, and I have been very pleased with the functionality of the product. Expensive, but very good for my purpose…

  • I am extremely happy with my 'Terminator', thank you.…

    As you may remember I needed to adapt it to have forearm rests instead of handles and found the charity organisation 'Remap' here in the UK who were able to take the forearm rests from an old rollator (an indoor Topro) and put them on my lovely new T…

  • Veloped Trek Large 14 inch…

    I received my Veloped Trek Large 14-inch on Friday, 22/12, 2023, which is perfect for me. Ideal height, too. I can walk upright with it compared to my previous walker. On my doctor's advice, I will go out for long walks with it every day in the Sprin…

  • S U P E R !…

    The shipping and the delivery of our Veloped Trek M 14er was completed in 3 days!
    So, it was very fast!

    Our Veloped was carefully packed and, when we unpacked it, was not damaged! We did not have any problems with the assembly either! See video a…

  • Top quality…

    I live in an area with lots of cobblestones big and small. There are also nice paths to walk on, but unfortunately some of them are very rough and with my normal rollator I constantly had arm and neck pain.

    The TRIONIC Sport has solved my problem.…

  • Regained Freedom…

    Very strong workmanship. Easy removal of the wheels for transport in the car. The basket is practical for jacket, dog leash etc. The height adjustment of the handles is very easy. The curved handrail is very useful for going uphill. Tested over roots…

  • Schwalbe Tubes…

    Arrived in good order.…

    Schwalbe Tube 12 inch
    by Günter Mehl
  • PERFECT…

    Perfect, because you can walk upright and avoid walking with a bent back. The back improves the more you walk.
    A tip: When folding the Veloped, there should be a latch that keeps the frame locked in a folded state.
    Missing holes to put a nameplate …

  • "No more sitting around watching life go by"

    Wow my Dad has recently bought a Trionic Veloped All Terrain Walker Rollator, no more sitting around watching the family having fun,he's joining in on the walks, shopping trips,and even started having holidays again,(that makes Mum happy!!),they've b…

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