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    

  • 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 …

  • The best invention after the wheel…

    My husband had a very serious accident at work: he fell from a height of eight meters on concrete floor. He is still very young, and it would be a disaster to get him to walk with a typical walker. Firstly, it is unsafe and completely unergonomic, an…

  • There is nothing as good existing!…

    I received my Veloped on time in a very sturdy packaging and tried it out with my wife in Trier the following weekend.

    It is a wonderful device, the developers have come up with some great solutions that you won't find on any other walker (this is…

  • Brilliant for rough terrain…

    Brilliant for rough terrain, suggestion for travel improvement
    We are extremely happy with it. My husband, 81 years old, even took it with him on a plane to Paris and used it around the city! It is easy to disassemble and store in the taxi. Removing…

  • Tires…

    The tires arrived very quickly, I mounted them and immediately I walked again.
    I bought the Veloped first - Perfect! Later I bought the Walker to match it - Equally perfect, but I prefer the Veloped because it is longer in front and with it, I can r…

  • I am currently mostly housebound due to……

    I am currently mostly housebound due to recovering from broken ankle and ribs! Also the recent weather has not helped as it has been wet and at times icy!

    I have made about six or seven short walks from the house to local to our local roadway, wea…

  • Trionic Veloped Sport…

    I have a rare neurological condition Hereditary Spastic Paresis which causes muscle stiffness, balance issues, and consequently mobility problems. I have used walking poles for the last couple of years but when I walk I no longer enjoy my surrounding…

  • Walker 12er…

    Excellent design and build. Very easy to adapt handgrips angles and height for maximum comfort and tailored "fit".
    Handles superbly, especially over uneven surfaces. The seat is comfortable to sit on and slides horizontally along the frame so that…

  • Let's give Old Age a bit of fun!…

    It has become impossible for me to walk outside unaided because of severe arthritis.

    But with my Trionic Walker, I can go out early each morning. I can see the stars, sometimes the moon before it sets, the dawn, the fragrant spring blossom - and a…

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