King Liu, the founder of Giant Bicycles who transformed a small manufacturing firm into the world’s largest cycling brand, died Feb. 16, 2026. He was 91.
Liu started Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in 1972 in Taichung, Taiwan. Under his leadership, the company evolved from an original equipment manufacturer for major Western labels into a global powerhouse with its own recognizable brand. He oversaw the production of millions of units, helping Taiwan gain a reputation as a center for high-quality cycling engineering.
Although he did not start cycling seriously until his later years, Liu became a vocal advocate for the activity. At age 73, he completed a cycling tour around the entirety of Taiwan and later rode from Beijing to Shanghai at age 75. He was also instrumental in launching the YouBike system, which integrated public bike-sharing into Taiwan’s urban transit.
The veteran bicycle manufacturer retired as chairman of Giant in late 2016 after more than four decades at the helm. In 2022, he received the United Nations World Bicycle Day Special Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to global cycling promotion. This honor capped a career that defined the modern cycling industry and turned a local factory into a global name.