Walking through the streets of Paris can be both fascinating and a challenge. Driving the streets can be another even more frustrating experience. Clearly, pedestrian and vehicular traffic in Paris is reminiscent of New York City before Rudy Giuliani.

Let me provide a few examples. One day while walking with my wife across a bridge over the River Seine, something seemed to be pressing us from behind. It was a motorcycle on the sidewalk within a few inches of our backs. Nonchalantly, the driver and passenger pushed by us and sped off¬on the sidewalk. Why not use the sidewalk when the road was jammed with traffic? No traffic police could ever be found on our walks.

That example of sanctioned motorcycle arrogance is not alone. On a highway, motorcycles are not required to stay in line. They are authorized to weave in and out of traffic and actually have the right-of-way between the second and third lanes. Coming up behind the van in which we were riding, motorcycles had to be accommodated even if our vehicle had to move to one side. I could not believe it. When I say "weave in and out," that is just what I mean. The motorcycles would cut across two lanes of stalled traffic just to get to the clearest path.

Now, to normal traffic. No one in Paris respects cross-streets. Our trip from the airport to the hotel could not be believed. At one point we were frozen for 20 minutes because a bus had totally blocked an intersection. Again, no traffic control. How long would Rudy accept that kind of road misconduct?

One of the weirdest examples of a total disregard for traffic rules can be seen at any time of the day or night in Paris. Motorcycles and cars park right on the sidewalk and are, apparently, not ticketed. As my wife and I walked to and from our activities, cars and motorcycles were always in the way¬with and without drivers. Between the blocked intersections, motorcycles running on sidewalks, vehicles parked everywhere and the chaotic operation of motorcycles on highways, Phoebe and I feel that Paris desperately needs the order of a Rudy Giuliani-like mayor to bring decorum back to the City of Lights.

There will be no more complaints from us about blocking intersections, jaywalking or double parking in New York City. Rudy Giuliani has it right. Let's hope that Paris soon sees the error of its ways. Until that time, if you are a walker or car passenger in Paris, keep your eyes wide open and remember¬the motorcycle rules¬even on the Parisian sidewalks.