New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced plans to ban horse-drawn carriages by spring 2026, signing an executive order to strengthen enforcement against illegal carriage operations and urging the City Council to pass a full ban. The order directs the NYPD to crack down on carriages soliciting fares illegally or driving in restricted areas, while the Department of Transportation will explore relocating boarding spots to less crowded parts of Central Park. Adams cited public safety concerns and animal welfare as key reasons for the ban, promising support for carriage drivers through medallion buybacks, job assistance, and potential electric carriage alternatives.
The move has sparked mixed reactions: labor leaders condemned it as a betrayal of working-class New Yorkers, while some City Council members, including Ryder’s Law sponsor Robert Holden, praised Adams for advancing public safety and humane treatment of animals. The City Council is still deliberating Ryder’s Law, a bill named after a horse that died on duty, with some officials criticizing Adams for politicizing the issue amid his reelection campaign. Nonetheless, the mayor’s executive order marks a significant step toward ending the historic carriage horse industry in the city.
