'A lifelong advocate for cycling culture' – Giant founder King Liu dies at age of 93

King Liu, chairman of Giant Manufacturing Co., poses for a photograph at the company's bicycle factory in Taichung, Taiwan, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. Liu, Giant Group's 81-year-old founder and chairman, will retire in 2017 from the world's biggest bicycle empire he founded more than four decades ago. Photographer: Maurice Tsai/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

King Liu, the man who founded the company that would ultimately become the world's largest bicycle designer and manufacturer by production, has died, with Giant Group saying that he was "not only our Founder, but a leader who consistently guided the organisation forward."

"With deep sorrow, Giant Group announces the passing of our beloved Founder, Mr. King Liu, who passed away peacefully in the early hours of February 16 at the age of 93," said Giant in a media release.