The History of Cycling Culture in Taiwan: A Half-Century Transformation from Transportation to Riding Culture

Taiwan’s relationship with the bicycle is a unique and rich story. From a luxury item during the Japanese colonial period, to the primary means of transportation in the post-war era, to today’s thriving sports culture and world-class manufacturing industry—Taiwan’s cycling history not only reflects the island’s economic development trajectory but also reveals a distinctive lifestyle and cultural identity.

The Japanese Colonial Period: Modernization on Two Wheels (1895-1945)

Bicycles were introduced to Taiwan by Japanese colonizers in the early days of Japanese rule. In the 1900s, bicycles were a luxury item owned only by a few Japanese officials and the wealthy, with a single bicycle costing the equivalent of several months’ salary for an ordinary person.

From the 1920s onward, as bicycle production in Japan increased, bicycles gradually became more common in Taiwan. Bicycle shops appeared in cities such as Taipei and Tainan, offering both sales and repair services. In the late Japanese colonial period, bicycles had become an important means of transportation for urban residents—students rode to school, merchants delivered goods by bike, and bicycles became woven into the daily lives of people in Taiwan.

Post-War Reconstruction and the Era of Transportation (1945-1970)

After the Retrocession, Taiwan was a land in need of rebuilding. In an era when motorcycles and automobiles were not yet widespread, the bicycle was the most important personal mode of transportation. In the 1950s, nearly every family aspired to own a bicycle.

Bicycles in Taiwan during this period were primarily utilitarian—heavy steel frames, single-speed, equipped with racks and fenders. The most common was the 28-inch “wu-che” (work bike), capable of carrying both people and cargo, serving as a lifeline for rural areas and cities alike.

The Beginnings of Local Manufacturing

In the 1960s, Taiwan began developing its bicycle manufacturing industry. Initially focused on assembling Japanese parts, it gradually developed its own production capabilities. This period laid the foundation for Taiwan’s future status as the “Kingdom of Bicycles”:

• 1969: Giant Manufacturing’s predecessor—Giant Industrial Co., Ltd.—was established
• 1972: Merida Industry was founded
• 1970s: Taiwan became one of the world’s largest bicycle exporters

The Rise of the Manufacturing Kingdom (1970-1990)

The Rise of Giant and Merida

In 1972, Mr. Liu Gin-Bi founded Giant Manufacturing, initially focusing on OEM work, producing bicycles for European and American brands. By 1981, Giant launched its own brand, marking an important milestone in the development of Taiwan’s bicycle industry.

Merida Industry was founded by Mr. Tseng Ting-Huang in Changhua in 1972. Similar to Giant, Merida also started with OEM and gradually built its own brand.

In the 1980s, Taiwan’s bicycle industry entered its golden age. The Dajia area of Taichung formed a complete bicycle industry cluster, from frames, wheelsets, and derailleurs to various components, creating the world’s most complete bicycle supply chain. At its peak, Taiwan exported over 10 million bicycles annually, accounting for a significant share of global production.

The A-Team Alliance

In 2003, facing the threat of low-cost competition from mainland China, Giant and Merida took the lead in forming the A-Team (Taiwan Bicycle Association), uniting major Taiwanese component manufacturers to counter mainland price competition by raising quality and technological content. The A-Team introduced the Toyota Production System (TPS), significantly enhancing the manufacturing standards and added value of Taiwan’s bicycle industry.

The Emergence of Cycling Sports Culture (1990-2006)

In the 1990s, as Taiwan’s economy took off and leisure awareness grew, bicycles began to transform from mere transportation tools into sports and recreational equipment.

The mountain bike craze (early 1990s) was the first wave of Taiwan’s cycling sports culture. Influenced by the international mountain biking movement, many Taiwanese riders began exploring suburban trails on mountain bikes. Maokong and Hongludi in the Taipei suburbs, along with various rural roads across the island, became paradise for early mountain biking enthusiasts.

Road cycling culture also began to emerge in the late 1990s. Experienced riders formed teams and conducted regular group training rides. Yangmingshan, Guanyinshan, Fengguizui, and other classic northern climbing routes, as well as central routes like Sun Moon Lake and Wuling, gradually became pilgrimage sites for road cycling enthusiasts.

The Rise of Island-Wide Cycling Culture (2006-2015)

Cycling Around Taiwan: A National Movement

In 2007, the film Island Etude was released, and its famous line—“Some things, if you don’t do them now, you’ll never do them in your lifetime”—became a collective memory for the people of Taiwan. This film, depicting a young man cycling around Taiwan, ignited a nationwide craze for island-wide cycling tours.

Key drivers of the island-wide cycling trend also included:

• Liu Gin-Bi’s island-wide ride (2007): Giant founder Mr. Liu Gin-Bi completed a bicycle tour around Taiwan at the age of 73, personally proving that “if you’re willing, anyone can cycle around the island”
• Construction of the island-wide cycling route: The government invested substantial resources in building a network of cycling paths around the island
• Establishment of Route No. 1: The classic island-wide route, approximately 940 km in length
• The founding of Giant Travel: A service dedicated to providing island-wide cycling tour planning and logistical support

“Cycling around Taiwan is a rite of passage for the people of Taiwan.” — By the 2010s, this had become a consensus

Standardization of Island-Wide Routes

Contemporary Cycling Culture (2015-Present)

The Flourishing of Competitive Sports

The level of cycling competition in Taiwan has improved significantly in recent years:

• KOM Challenge: An international-level climbing race held annually in Taroko, Hualien, climbing from sea level to Wuling at 3,275 meters—one of Asia’s most grueling climbing events
• The tradition of Taiwan’s Cycling King of the Mountain: Wuling (3,275 meters) is the highest point on paved roads in Southeast Asia; summiting from Puli or Hualien is the ultimate challenge for Taiwanese riders
• Cycling events across the island: From the North Coast to Kenting, from Sun Moon Lake to Taimali, hundreds of cycling races are held throughout Taiwan each year

Cycling Infrastructure Development

The Taiwanese government continues to invest in cycling infrastructure:

• Sun Moon Lake Lakeside Cycling Path: Named by CNN as one of the “World’s 10 Most Beautiful Cycling Paths”
• Houfeng Bike Path: Built on a converted old railway, passing through tunnels and over iron bridges
• Dongfeng Bikeway: Taiwan’s first bicycle-only path converted from an abandoned railway
• Taipei Riverside Cycling Path System: A network of over 100 km of riverside cycling paths
• Western Coastal Bikeway: Connecting the beautiful scenery along the west coast

YouBike and Urban Cycling

In 2009, Taipei City launched the YouBike public bicycle system. From an initial 11 stations and 500 bicycles, it has grown into a vast network covering multiple cities across Taiwan. YouBike has not only changed urban transportation patterns but has also introduced many people who never rode bicycles to cycling.

The YouBike 2.0 system, launched in 2020, uses lighter station equipment and a smarter rental and return mechanism, further expanding its service coverage. Today, YouBike has become an indispensable part of urban life in Taiwan.

Gravel and the New Trend of Exploratory Riding

In the 2020s, the internationally popular gravel bike trend also reached Taiwan. Taiwan’s abundant forest roads, rural roads, and country lanes are highly suitable for gravel riding. More and more riders are beginning to explore hidden spots unreachable by road bikes, combining cycling with outdoor adventure.

The Uniqueness of Taiwan’s Cycling Culture

Taiwan’s cycling culture has several distinctive features:

1. A Perfect Union of Manufacturing and Use: Taiwan is both the world’s top manufacturing base for bicycles and home to a vibrant riding culture
2. Round-the-Island Culture: Cycling around the island has become a cultural phenomenon, carrying the meaning of self-challenge and reconnecting with one’s homeland
3. A Climber’s Paradise: Taiwan has over 200 mountains above 3,000 meters, offering world-class climbing routes
4. A Convenient Support Network: Convenience stores scattered across the island ensure long-distance rides are worry-free
5. A Warm Rider Community: The mutual support and friendliness among Taiwanese cyclists are well known

Taiwan’s cycling story continues. From a manufacturing powerhouse to a riding paradise, the island has carved out a unique path in cycling culture over half a century.

Related Reading

• The History of Taiwan’s Cycling Events: From Local Racing to International Competitions
• The Rise of Taiwan’s Cycling Culture: From Transportation to a Lifestyle Sport
• The Past and Future of Taiwan’s Cycling Culture: From Early Racing to Modern Community Rides
• The Golden Age of Taiwan’s Road Bikes: The Cycling Boom from the 2000s to Today