Bike maker Gazelle has just turned out its 15-millionth bicycle after 125 years of continual operations, the company said on Thursday.

The company now manufactures 250,000 bikes a year, many of which are now  electric bikes, the company said. E-bikes now account for 35% of production, which retail for an average €2,500

‘We will soon be making more e-bikes than normal bikes,’ said company spokesman Ferdi Ertekin. Gazelle is also working on connected e-bikes which have sensors and other smart technology and are connected to the internet.

‘Everyone and everything will soon be coupled to the internet in real time, including our bikes. They will be better protected against theft and the e-bike itself will tell the owner when maintenance is needed,’ Ertekin said.

Gazelle started operations in 1892 and now has a payroll of 350.  It rolled out the 10-millionth bike in 1999 and the 14th million bike appeared in 2012. The company is now owned by Pon Holdings which imports cars as well as other bike brands.