February 16, 2026 - Giant Group has announced that the company’s founder, King Liu, passed away peacefully on February 16 at the age of 93.
Liu founded Giant back in 1972 in Taiwan, and built the global company into one the world’s largest cycling entities with over US $2 billion in sales annually. “Through a strong commitment to quality and a clear long-term vision, he led the company onto the global stage and helped the world recognize the strength and capability of Taiwan’s bicycle industry,” stated a company press release.
Born in 1934 he worked briefly in his father’s trading and food manufacturing company before branching off on his own. When he launched Giant, he apparently biked to work in the early years to better understand the product according to CNA (Channel News Asia).
Some of the company’s notable milestones include launching its first Giant-branded bicycles in 1981; forming Giant Group Europe in the Netherlands in 1986; introducing Cadex, one of the world’s first mass-produced carbon fibre road bikes; the formation of the first Giant Mountain Bike Team in 1995; introducing its first electric-assisted bike, the Lafree, in 1997; launching Liv/Giant, a dedicated women’s cycling brand in 2008.
At the age of 73, Liu rediscovered cycling as he rode around Taiwan on a bicycle in 2007 completing a 15-day, 968-kilometer cycling journey to inspire a nationwide cycling movement. His ride foreshadowed the company opening its own cycling tour operation in 2009, Giant Adventure, which offers the “Tour de Taiwan” and many other trips, and has led more than 3,200 tours with over 110,000 customers.
Liu retired in 2017 and passed the leadership reins to Bonnie Tu who retired at the end of 2024. As of Jan. 1, 2025, CEO Young Liu has taken over as Chairman, and Chief Branding Officer Phoebe Liu became CEO.
“Throughout his life, Mr. Liu devoted himself to bicycles, believing they represented not merely a business, but a meaningful way of life. He was widely respected as a lifelong advocate for cycling culture and remained a deeply influential figure to colleagues, partners, and riders across generations,” reads the company press release.
Read the full press release here.
eBikes International joins the global cycling community in sending condolences to King Liu’s family, friends and business associates.
