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    

  • Finally, it is possible to be active in a relaxed way again!…

    At the age of 54, due to a sudden illness, I went in a very short time from being an active athlete to someone who only walks unsteadily, with small, wide-legged steps and in pain. This slow and forced walking also caused me severe Achilles tendiniti…

  • My Trionic "Fishing Ghillie" keeps me fishing [and walking].…

    I am aged 84 with bad legs and balance;a passionate salmon fly fisherman.This year my balance is so bad that I can't fish in the normal way[standing up in a rocky river] without falling in !However my Veloped Sport is enabling me to keep fishing.I wa…

  • Great, our Veloped Trek :-)❣️…

    It was shipped quickly and arrived in perfect condition!
    It's very stable/robust and we feel completely safe with it when we go walking on uneven (forest) trails.

    It's not cheap, but if you're looking for a really stable rollator, I can only reco…

  • Works perfectly…

    The Veloped bottle holder is easy to mount. All bottles and cans fit in it. I've already had up to 0.75 l bottles in it. A small thermos flask also works. You don't need any special bottles.…

    Veloped Bottle Holder
    by Stephanie Matthies
  • Mr Peter Baker…

    I Have owned my Veloped Sport 14er L for just over 3 weeks, its has made a tremendous deference to my mobility. Im a 72 year old male who suffered spinal cord damage in a mountaineering accident 18 years ago, I had been using crutches but just after …

  • It doesn't get any better!…

    Never will I forego the great tool which has given me back so much joy of life! Because of multiple sclerosis I was unfortunately no longer able to move about in nature. This led to great annoyance for me during holidays on the North Sea. No walking …

  • The Out Door Champion.…

    I have tried locally available walkers and found them ok on flat, level and smooth surfaces any cracks or bumps they, like super market trollies in the car parks, go their own way.
    I went to the internet and googled "All Terrain Walkers" and up came…

  • So good we bought a second one…

    We bought the Veloped Sport as we live on a farm and have horses and were very pleased with it and felt safe using it. But we found it a bit large for some situations like hospital appointments and getting it in the car. So bought the walker as well.…

  • Quality…

    Handy, with quality.…

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