New York City Mayor Eric Adams supports the Ryder Law, a proposal to phase out horse-drawn carriages in Central Park due to concerns over animal abuse, safety risks to horses, pedestrians, and tourists, and the incompatibility of this tradition with modern urban conditions. The bill would stop issuing new licenses, promote electric vehicle alternatives, and provide incentives and job relocation plans for carriage drivers, aiming to create a more ecological and humane environment while preserving jobs.

The proposal has sparked division: animal rights groups like NYCLASS and PETA back the measure to protect horses and public safety, while unions such as the American Transport Workers Union criticize it for threatening workers’ livelihoods. City Hall plans to strengthen oversight, facilitate voluntary license returns, and ensure workers are supported through the transition, reflecting a balance between animal welfare concerns and economic impacts on the carriage industry.