TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Giant Manufacturing Co.'s French branch organized a 110-kilometer round-Paris ride on Saturday.

The event attracted nearly 100 cyclists and aimed to celebrate Giant's 15th anniversary in France. It also helps enhance the image of Taiwanese brands, per CNA.

The cycling route covered Giant’s seven service stations in the city, the company said. Participants could experience each store's unique features as they stopped for breaks along the way.

Giant France General Manager Jerome Chagnon said the brand is seen as innovative, high-performance, and suitable for all users. He noted that Giant operates 140 stores and holds about a 7% market share in the professional bicycle segment in France, making it the Taiwanese company with the widest distribution network and physical retail presence in the country.

Chagnon said the event helps encourage the public to use green transportation. He added that Paris has significantly expanded its network of bike lanes over the past 20 years, earning it the nickname “City of Bicycles.”

French former professional road racing cyclists Pierre Rolland and Jerome Cousin also participated in the event. They praised the company for its excellent service in France and its commitment to high-quality bicycle manufacturing.

Rolland also commended the city government for its efforts in building bike lanes, reducing urban pollution, and reducing the number of cars. Additionally, Cousin highlighted the importance of cyclists following traffic rules.

At the finish line, the company, along with the Taipei Representative Office in France and several Taiwanese businesses, treated returning cyclists to Taiwanese refreshments such as Taiwan Beer, bubble tea, and grass jelly drinks.

In this year’s first quarter, Giant reported revenue of NT$16.85 billion (US$522.35 million), a 4.9% increase year-on-year. However, its pre-tax profit of almost NT$500 million was a 40.4% decline year-on-year. The company sold two million bicycles in China last year, while its European market focused primarily on electric bikes.