Following a teen's death this summer and continued opposition from animal activists, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Oct. 13 announced a plan to ban horse-drawn carriages.
"The horse carriage industry is coming to an end in New York City," Mamdani, who was sworn in to office in January, posted on X. "Our administration will make sure workers and owners are protected and the horses are safe".
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the bill Oct. 22, the office of City Council Speaker Julie Menin told USA TODAY. If the measure passes, the ban will prohibit issuing new carriage licenses, and the operation of all carriages will end starting June 1, 2028.
The move comes on the heels of human and equine deaths in Manhattan, which prompted people
to rally for the passage of what was once called Ryder’s Law, a bill named after a carriage horse that died in Hell’s Kitchen in 2022.
In July, Menin showed her support for Romanch’s Law, a bill named after 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, an Indian tourist killed in June after being thrown from a horse carriage.
"Horse-drawn carriages have long been part of New York City’s history, but in an increasingly busy Central Park, this tradition has become a growing public safety liability," Menin released in a statement to USA TODAY.
"Next week, the Council will take decisive action by voting on Romanch’s Law to protect New Yorkers, visitors, and the horses themselves. Just as importantly, the legislation will require the Administration to develop a plan to connect hardworking New Yorkers employed in this industry with new economic opportunities. We can honor our city’s traditions while recognizing when it’s time to move forward in the interest of public safety, protecting workers, and strengthening our city’s economic vitality.”
The Transport Workers Union of America, in a post on X, called the moves "disgraceful political opportunism" and said Mandami should not "simply go along with it, particularly when immigrant families’ livelihoods are being destroyed. This entire situation is reprehensible."
Earlier this summer, USA TODAY previously reported, Angel Gonzalez, the vice president of TWU Local 252, a union that supports carriage workers, said he was also concerned about people who operate the mode of transportation for a living.
"We're don't want nobody to lose their jobs," Gonzalez told USA TODAY. "The union, that's what we're here for: to support and save jobs and protect jobs."
This has been something people have been talking about forever, and just like that it got done. https://t.co/aY2gXFolgP
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) October 14, 2026
'Far too much suffering on our streets'
New York state Sen. Erik Bottcher, who represents Manhattan, commended Menin, the mayor and other advocates who he said have "worked tirelessly for years" to make the effort a potential reality.
"Today’s announcement is a historic step forward for animal welfare and safety in New York City," Bottcher said in a statement on Instagram. "For years, many of us have been working hard to get carriage horses off the crowded, chaotic streets of Midtown Manhattan. From the heartbreaking incidents involving horses like Ryder and Daisy to the tragic death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, we have witnessed far too much suffering on our streets and in Central Park."
"I know we will ensure that the horses are retired humanely and that the hardworking New Yorkers whose livelihoods depend on this industry receive meaningful support and opportunities for new employment," Bottcher said.
Horse-drawn carriages have been defended as being both tradition and a tourist attraction, but cities have changed dramatically since carriages were ordinary transportation. Carriage horses now face major traffic, noise, pollution, heavy loads, harsh weather and more.
The push to ban carriage horses was praised by animal welfare advocates including PETA on Oct. 14.
"For too long, horses have been forced to pull heavy carriages through NYC streets," PETA wrote in a post on X. "@NYCMayor has committed to signing the bill! Thanks, Speaker Menin, for doing the right thing and bringing this cruel industry closer to its end!"
This is not the first time city leaders have pushed to ban horse carriages in the city.
Just over a year ago, former Mayor Eric Adams announced his support to end the use of horse-drawn carriages.
USA TODAY has reached out to Mamdani's office for more information.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mamdani, NYC officials push ban on horse carriages after teen's death
