OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi (WLOX) – Thanks to the Tour de Coast e-bike, Ocean Springs has a new way to get around for tourists and residents.

“So it’s an OKAI bike. It’s the EB100, it’s pedal assist, which means you have to pedal to start it, but it goes up to 24 km/h,” Edmiston said.

Friends Beth Edmiston and Katie Hudson Seymour recognized that there was a need for something like this on the Gulf Coast.

“I used to be an avid cyclist and loved the Tour de France. We rode electric bikes for the first time in Utah and just had the best time. We just couldn’t believe we didn’t have that down here,” said Seymour.

The first hub is located outside of Deedy’s Formals and Tuxedos, but the duo plans to expand the hubs to more local stores as well as other cities.

“If anyone comes to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it will be really cool to ride their bikes from Ocean Springs to Bay St. Louis and stop in the small towns along the way,” Seymour said.

The e-bikes are controlled via the Tour De Coast app, and both owners say they are as user-friendly as it gets.

“Our system is that you can either pick a bike and ride as long as you want, or you can pick a pass. We have an annual pass, and this week only, everyone gets 50% off the pass. An annual pass is $99 and you can ride for 30 minutes every day,” Edmiston said.

The bike’s battery lasts for around 90 miles. Customers can pay per ride or sign up for the various membership plans offered.

Both owners are advocates of exercise and women’s health. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the e-bikes goes to breast cancer research.

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