*By Jacqueline Corba*
Dockless bikes [hit the streets](https://www.limebike.com/blog/lime-in-nyc-dock-free-bikes-smart-mobility-rockaways) of the outer-boroughs of New York City on Friday, another big milestone in the exploding popularity of dockless bikes and e-scooters.
It's also another big step for Lime, the San Mateo, Calif., startup that has [rapidly pushed into 70 markets](https://cheddar.com/videos/how-limes-bikes-will-survive-new-yorks-urban-jungle) in the U.S. and overseas.
Caen Contee, Lime's Vice President of Marketing, Business Development, and International Expansion, told Cheddar that entering the New York City market will be a test it needs to pass in order to further expand.
"We are really looking to grow into the boroughs, and prove how we can ultimately service larger areas," said Contee.
Lime is part of a pilot program organized by the city's Department of Transportation to test the concept of dockless bike-sharing. Unlike the current Citi Bike programs where people have to use designated stands to gain access to and deposit bikes, the dockless system allows people to locate bikes with an app and then leave them anywhere. Other start-ups participating in the [pilot program include Jump, Ofo, Motivate, and Pace.](http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2018/pr18-039.shtml)
Contee said while the program is starting only in the Rockaways, it won't prevent people from riding the Lime bikes to Manhattan. But, Lime will track bikes down through GPS and return them into the approved zone in Queens. Contee said he couldn't predict when dockless bikes would be available throughout New York City.
This launch comes on the heels of Lime announcing a massive $335 million round of financing from investors including Alphabet's GV, Fidelity, and Uber.
Uber will also become a strategic partner with Lime, and with Lime bikes and scooters being integrated into the Uber app. Contee said Lime is still working out details on the user experience.
"Ultimately you are going to be able to find and unlock a Lime. As to what that experience is, we are still determining that," said Contee. "Uber will be another opportunity for you to see what is available and compare it against other options."
Contee said the new funding round will help the start-up meet the demand the Uber partnership will ultimately bring Lime.
For the full segment, [click here.](https://cheddar.com/videos/lime-brings-dockless-bikes-to-new-york-citys-outer-boroughs)
The Rev. Al Sharpton is set to lead a protest march on Wall Street to urge corporate America to resist the Trump administration’s campaign to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The New York civil rights leader will join clergy, labor and community leaders Thursday in a demonstration through Manhattan’s Financial District that’s timed with the anniversary of the Civil Rights-era March on Washington in 1963. Sharpton called DEI the “civil rights fight of our generation." He and other Black leaders have called for boycotting American retailers that scaled backed policies and programs aimed at bolstering diversity and reducing discrimination in their ranks.
President Donald Trump's administration last month awarded a $1.2 billion contract to build and operate what's expected to become the nation’s largest immigration detention complex to a tiny Virginia firm with no experience running correction facilities.
Chipmaker Nvidia is poised to release a quarterly report that could provide a better sense of whether the stock market has been riding an overhyped artificial intelligence bubble or is being propelled by a technological boom that’s still gathering momentum.
Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize.
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
Elon Musk on Monday targeted Apple and OpenAI in an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the iPhone maker and the ChatGPT maker are teaming up to thwart competition in artificial intelligence.
