Mayor Eric Adams has publicly endorsed a ban on horse-drawn carriages in New York City, aligning himself with animal rights activists and local politicians advocating for Ryder’s Law—a bill named after a carriage horse that died after being whipped in 2022. Adams cited recent incidents, including a horse running loose in Central Park, as evidence that horse-drawn carriages are incompatible with the city’s dense population and posed safety risks. He suggested replacing carriage horses with electric vehicles and emphasized a compassionate approach, noting that public opinion polls show strong support for the ban.

However, Adams’ stance has drawn sharp criticism from carriage drivers organized under the Transport Worker’s Union, who accuse pro-ban activists of extremism and warn that the ban would abruptly eliminate their livelihoods. The union also launched a scathing ad attacking Adams personally, accusing him of betraying workers and 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 ban.