What about those cars back there on the sidewalk? I bet those are construction workers' cars painting the Queensboro. Let's review the facts: #1: If he had been parked on the sidewalk, you would have complained as well. #2: That whole block between 1st and 2nd on 60th street is "No Standing Anytime" even though the jerks at Scores park there mercilessly every night without getting tickets. #3. There are No Standing 3pm-7pm all up 1st Avenue and metered spots are scarce and easily taken. #4. There is a FULL block of No Standing Anytime Except Trucks 7-4pm on the east side of 1st between 60-61 (the Starbucks block). Had he parked there, you would have complained that a truck couldn't park and that he was forced to double park, tying up traffic and blocking the bike lane (which I know is your biggest pet peeve, Steve; that rhymes by the way). #5. Even 59th street is No Standing Anytime in what little of a block that it is because of the lower level entrance to the bridge. #6. The vehicle is not parked on the street, but behind a fence as not to obstruct traffic. #7. All of 60th street between 1st and York is No Standing Anytime and a bus layover zone on the south side of the street. So there are a bunch of examples of why, just MAYBE, for once in this case, this vehicle, given the circumstances, is parked in the best fashion. I'm sure it pissed you off that you had to get off the bike and go onto the sidewalk for a moment (in all seriousness), but in this one circumstance, Steve, can't you agree with me that this was an okay place for this vehicle, on official business, to park? I look forward to your reply.

Will, I think you are right. This is one of the better spots, and while not right, sometimes you got to do what you got to do.

In my view, the western curb lane of First Avenue between 59th and 60th Sts. (under the bridge span) is the "lesser of all evils" for this guy because it is already obsructed with jersey barriers at its southern end, and the northbound traffic from below 59th St. is required to turn west at 59th, so there would be no obstructiion of traffic flow by cars praked in this spot (not to mention that it is the roadway, where cars belong as a general matter).

The next best place in my view would be the sidewalk, because there is a designated pathway for bicyclists and pedestrians here that would take a pedestrian anywhere s/he could conceivabbly want to go, so they don't need the sidewalk. (You will note that I did not do posts on the sidewalk parkers here; why speculate what I would do when I haven't done it?).

There was ample room on both the sidewalk and western First Ave. bet. 59th and 60th while this guy was parked here in the bike/peds pathway, he apparently just wanted to minimize the number of steps outside of his car on a chilly day.

To correct a few other inaccuracies in your comment, Will: (1) There is no bike lane on First Avenue south of 72nd St.; (2) it would have been perfectly legal for this guy with this permit to park in a "No Standing Except Trucks" zone which you point out was also available to him within a block (check the site's "Official General Rule #1"); and (3) bicyclists and pedestrians using this path *ARE* traffic so it is prepostersous to say this guy is "not blocking traffic."

#1. I never said there was a bike lane on 1st Avenue. #2. I am well aware what placards are valid where. All I remarked on was that if he had parked on what few "No Standing Except Trucks" on the east side of 1st between 60th/61st, you would have complained because it would "force a truck to be double parked and block the bike lane." #3. You are right about the bikes being traffic, I agree with you. My mistake. However, I still believe that pedestrians should walk on the sidewalk and, in this particular instance, not in the street.