MONTEREY, CA — April 21, 2026 The Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA) hosted the
E-Bike Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony last Friday at the Lifetime Sea Otter Classic. The
event recognized a distinguished group of visionaries, engineers, and entrepreneurs whose
contributions transformed the e-bike from an experimental concept into a global transportation
revolution.
A Tribute to the Pioneers
The ceremony, led by LEVA Vice Chairman Jonathan Weinert, served as a permanent tribute
to the leaders who recognized the potential of electric mobility long before it reached the
mainstream.
“The e-bike boom was built on decades of collaboration, risk-taking, and technical mastery,”
stated LEVA founder and Chairman Ed Benjamin in a shared message. “The E-Bike Hall of
Fame will continue to exist as a living history of the industry”.
The Class of 2026 Inductees
Following the induction of 10 individuals at Taipei Cycle last month, the Sea Otter Classic
ceremony welcomed 9 additional industry giants to the Class of 2026.
In Memoriam
The ceremony began by honoring four influential figures who are no longer with us, but whose
legacies continue to shape the industry:
● Lee Iacocca (d. 2019): An automotive icon who brought global credibility to the infant e-
bike business in the 1990s through EV Warrior and EV Global.
● Sydney Kuropchak (d. 2013): Co-founder of LEVA and architect of the LEVA
Technician Training Program, which educated large numbers of bike shops and
mechanics.
● Dr. Don Gerhardt, PhD (d. 2026): Author of the Electric Bike Maintenance Manual and a
mentor who personally oversaw the training of more than 2,000 U.S. e-bike mechanics.
● Dr. Malcolm Currie: A pioneering partner in early U.S. e-bike efforts, whose award was
accepted by longtime partner Larry Pizzi.
Industry Visionaries
The Hall of Fame also celebrated active leaders who have championed e-bike adoption across
the United States:
● Mike Fritz (Human Powered Solutions): The first engineer hired by Lee Iacocca for the
E-bike project, which kick-started a career-long dedication to e-bike development.
● Larry Pizzi (Pedego): A driving force behind major U.S. e-bike brands for several
decades, including CurrieTech, Izip, Haibike, and Pedego.
● Rob Kaplan (Bulls Bikes): Recognized for his decades of work in opening the dealer
market to the possibilities of electric cycling.
● Karen & Brett Thurber (The New Wheel): Founders of one of the country's first and
most successful premium electric independent bicycle dealerships (eIBDs).
About the E-Bike Hall of Fame by LEVA
The E-Bike Hall of Fame by LEVA is dedicated to preserving the history of the electric bicycle industry by
honoring the pioneers who paved the way for modern electric mobility. Future inductions are
planned to continue recognizing the "giants" of the global e-bike industry.
https://levassociation.com/e-bike-hall-of-fame-by-leva/
About LEVA
The Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA) represents the strategic interests of light electric
vehicle retailers, dealers, distributors, manufacturers and suppliers to promote the development,
sale, and use of LEVs worldwide.
Media Contact:
Martin Massuh, LEVA Executive Director, martin@levassociation.com
Jonathan Weinert, LEVA Vice-Chairman jw@levassociation.com +1-248-308-4393
- E-Bike Hall of Fame Inaugurated at TAIPEI CYCLE: Industry Legends Honored for
Shaping Global Electric Mobility:
TAIPEI, Taiwan — The global light electric vehicle (LEV) industry celebrated a historic
milestone today at last month’s TAIPEI CYCLE SHOW 2026 with the official opening ceremony
of the E-Bike Hall of Fame. This landmark initiative, spearheaded by the Light Electric Vehicle
Association (LEVA) with support from TAITRA, recognizes the visionaries, engineers, and
entrepreneurs whose contributions have transformed the e-bike from an experimental concept
into a global transportation revolution.
The 2026 inaugural class honors a prestigious group of individuals from across the globe,
representing the manufacturing powerhouses and technical innovation of the East, and the retail
and advocacy leadership of the West.
“The E-Bike Hall of Fame by LEVA serves as a permanent tribute to the pioneers who saw the potential
of electric mobility long before it was mainstream,” said Ed Benjamin during the ceremony. “By
Honoring these leaders here at TAIPEI CYCLE, we acknowledge that the e-bike boom was built
on decades of collaboration, risk-taking, and technical mastery.”
The Inaugural E-Bike Hall of Fame Inductees:
The ceremony paid tribute to an elite group of industry titans, including:
● King Liu (Giant Bicycle): The visionary founder of Giant Group, whose leadership turned Taiwan into a global bicycle powerhouse and paved the way for mass-market e-bikes adoption.
● Percy Chien (Fairly Bike Manufacturing Co.): A manufacturing pioneer whose early commitment to high-quality e-bike production helped establish the industry’s technical standards.
● Jeffrey Ho (Klever Mobility/Kymco): Recognized for his role in bridging the gap between motorcycle-grade engineering and urban electric cycling.
● Fritz Jou (Fritz Jou Bike): A key figure in the high-end assembly and manufacturing sector, critical to the global supply chain of premium e-bikes.
● Bob Margevicius (Specialized): An influential leader at Specialized Bicycles, instrumental in the integration of electric technology into the performance cycling world.
● Frank Jamerson (Electric Bike World Report): An early visionary whose meticulous market research and reports provided the industry’s first roadmap for growth.
● Mohua Yang (Greenway): A leader in battery technology and lithium-ion solutions, powering the heart of the modern e-bike.
● Art Yoshida (Panasonic): A representative of Japan’s technical excellence, recognized
for Panasonic’s early and enduring leadership in e-bike drive systems.
● Masao Ono: Honored for his foundational engineering contributions and early advocacy for electric-assist technology in Japan.
● Cheng Dar Sheng: A respected industry veteran recognized for his long-standing contributions to the Taiwanese bicycle manufacturing ecosystem.
A Legacy of Innovation
The ceremony brought together representatives from across the supply chain, from motor
manufacturers to frame builders and brand owners. Speakers highlighted how the collective
work of these inductees has provided sustainable transportation solutions for millions, reduced
carbon footprints, and reinvented the joy of cycling for a diverse global demographic.
The E-Bike Hall of Fame will continue to exist as a living history of the industry, with future
inductions planned to recognize the next generation of innovators.
About the E-Bike Hall of Fame by LEVA:
Established in 2026, the E-Bike Hall of Fame honors the individuals who have made significant
contributions to the development, promotion, and growth of the e-bike industry.
About TAIPEI CYCLE:
TAIPEI CYCLE is one of the world’s premier cycling trade shows, serving as a vital hub for the
global bicycle industry to showcase cutting-edge technology and foster international
partnerships.
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Media Contact:
Martin Massuh
Executive Director
martin@levassociation.com
