New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday signed an executive order directing city agencies to crack down on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park and to prepare for the cessation of the industry by the end of 2026, a move that signals a potential wind-down of the decades-old tradition. The order, titled preparing for the cessation of horse-drawn carriages in New York City, directs agencies to strengthen oversight and enforcement while mapping a path for a transition that could include new employment opportunities for drivers and, if feasible, an electric-carriage option.
The administration said the measure is a preparatory step pending possible legislation from the City Council. Under the executive order, the New York Police Department will immediately prioritize enforcement against carriages that illegally solicit fares or drive in traffic and bicycle lanes, a requirement that nods to the park’s redesign that has blurred traditional routing. The Department of Transportation will study current boarding locations and identify relocation spots to less-frequented areas of Central Park. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, Parks, the health department and other agencies will increase oversight and enforcement of existing regulations as the City Council weighs a broader ban. A City Hall spokesperson emphasized that the council must act on any comprehensive reform but noted the administration’s responsibility to prepare for possible changes.
Adams cited the broader safety and welfare concerns surrounding horse-drawn carriages, pointing to two high-profile incidents this year—one involving a horse named Ryder, which collapsed and died, and another involving a horse named Lady last month—along with a string of incidents that raised alarms about animal welfare and public safety. The order also directs agencies to identify new employment opportunities for drivers, particularly within the tourism sector, and to create a voluntary license return process for those who choose to exit the trade. City officials said they are open to exploring an electric carriage program so that visitors can continue to enjoy Central Park’s sights while reducing animal welfare concerns.
The executive order is part of a broader debate over Central Park’s iconic carriage trade. The Central Park Conservancy, which manages park operations, recently voiced concerns about public health and safety, breaking a long period of neutrality on the issue. Adams framed the move as a modernization effort rather than an erasure of tradition, saying, “This is not about eliminating this tradition — it’s about honoring our traditions in a way that aligns with who we are today.” He added that New Yorkers care deeply about animals and fairness and that the city must do what’s right.
Ryder’s Law, named after the horse whose death drew attention to the industry, remains before the City Council but has been stalled in the health committee since last summer. The law would ban carriage operations, but advocates for the industry have argued for a phased approach and worker protections. City Hall said the administration would welcome the Council’s engagement and hoped the executive order would give the legislation a push toward passage. The order also contemplates a wind-down framework that would provide retraining and relocation avenues for drivers, with a focus on tourism-related roles and potential partnerships with private vendors willing to operate alternative carriage experiences.
Several officials stressed that the plan is about careful reform, not a precipitous shutdown. Adams highlighted that the city should explore a transition that preserves what the public values about Central Park while addressing animal welfare, traffic, and pollution concerns. He noted that the administration would remain open to a future electric-carriage option or a stable inside the park, should a viable model emerge through continued planning and consensus-building with community stakeholders.
As the City Council reviews Ryder’s Law and other potential measures, Wednesday’s executive order establishes a framework for enforcement, relocation, and worker transition. It sets a timeline that aligns with the administration’s broader goal of modernizing park operations and reimagining how major public spaces balance heritage with contemporary urban needs. Whether the plan can secure council approval and what form a post-carriage Central Park will take remain critical questions for residents, workers, and visitors who have long associated the park with its signature horse-drawn carriages.
