Last month, Eric Adams, current mayor of New York, concerned for the safety of the public, expressed his concern regarding the public’s safety due to the usage of horse carriages.
“New York City is a place where history and progress live side by side, but as long as I am mayor, we will always put public safety first,” Adams said, according to NYC gov, as he raised concerns over the risks horse-drawn carriages pose to the public.
Mayor Adams, a former police officer and embattled American politician, has served as the 110th mayor of New York City. He was elected in 2022 and has been serving as mayor since then. Adams planned to run once again, in order to serve for a second term, but has recently dropped out of the mayoral race due to the popularity of other candidates, Mamdani and Cuomo. But before his term comes to an end, he apparently was determined to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city.
On September 17, Adams signed Executive Order 56–an official call for an end to the prosperous horse carriage industry, one of the city’s most economically successful and popular tourist attractions. As stated by NYC officials in The New York Times, between 216 horses and 282 drivers, the industry brings in roughly $15 million annually.
Although the union claims that the horses are humanely treated, two recent incidents involving the health of carriage horses, known as Ryder and Lady, sparked outrage amongst animal advocates. Ryder collapsed in Hell’s Kitchen during a heatwave in 2022. In another recent incident revolving around the safety of animals, Lady collapsed and died from an aortic rupture near Times Square.
The results of the ban have led to mixed reactions amongst people.
“They want to vacate the stables so they can put up skyscrapers, condominium towers, and office towers. And they need to get rid of 170 carriage drivers to do it. So Eric Adams is now Mayor Backstabber,” John Samuelsen, the international president of the Transport Workers Union, said, according to amNY.
The flood of criticism from the union forced Adams to defend his position.
“We will not abandon the drivers themselves, who are honest, hard-working New Yorkers,” he said. “I have directed our agencies to identify new employment opportunities for those in this industry and create a process for voluntary return of licenses.” To the unhappy tourists, worried about missing out on an iconic Manhattan experience, he proposed “a new program for electric carriages so New Yorkers and visitors can continue to enjoy the majesty of Central Park.”
The ban is set to take effect by June 2026, though the legislation is yet to be voted on by the New York City Council. Despite the law’s pending state, it is evident that residents and officials alike have not held back their opinions on the matter. Overall, the ban is a turning point for animal rights activists and represents a step toward a more progressive New York City. While debates around the policy continue, the decision reflects the city’s growing commitment to ethical change and modernization.
