New York City Mayor Eric Adams has publicly endorsed a ban on horse-drawn carriages, aligning himself with animal rights activists and local politicians advocating for Ryder’s Law, named after a carriage horse that died following abuse in 2022. Adams cited recent incidents, including a horse running loose in Central Park, as evidence that horse carriages are incompatible with the city’s dense environment and unsafe for both animals and people. He proposed replacing carriage horses with electric vehicles and emphasized a compassionate approach, noting strong public support for the ban.

However, Adams’s stance has drawn sharp criticism from carriage drivers and the Transport Worker’s Union, who accuse pro-ban activists of extremism and warn that the ban would cost them their livelihoods. The union also attacked Adams personally in a print ad, accusing him of pandering to wealthy elites and real estate interests allegedly seeking to replace stables with luxury developments. Despite these tensions, Adams expressed a desire to be fair to the drivers while pushing forward with the proposed legislation.