New York City to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages in Central Park by 2028

You are running out of time if riding a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park is a bucket list activity. A new law will ban the use of these carriages beginning in June of 2028. Here is a look at the ban and why it was enacted.

Horse-Drawn Carriages Coming to an End in New York City

The New York City Council passed a law last week that will ban horse-drawn carriages, getting rid of a controversial practice in Central Park. The council passed Romanch's Law, previously known as Ryder's Law, on October 22. This law will phase out the practice over the next several months.

A city official defended the bill's passing, saying that “Horse-drawn carriages have been part of New York City’s history since before cars, but our city has changed drastically." The law is scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2028, according to the official announcement from the city council.

The New York Times confirmed that the mayor will sign the bill into law. A spokesperson for Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that “The mayor will sign this bill, and the Mamdani administration is working every day to ensure we can do so while providing the strongest possible protections for the owners and workers in this industry."

Mamdani's office was instrumental in helping to draft the bill, signaling that he is supportive of the legislation. The mayor officially has 30 days to sign or veto the bill.

The tradition of horse-drawn carriages in the country's most famous park dates back to 1858. However, animal rights groups have called the practice into question in recent years, arguing that what was once a necessary form of transportation has evolved into a tourist attraction that is inhumane.