New York City Bans Horse-Drawn Carriages Following Tragic Tourist Death

The New York City Council voted 40 to 7 to pass Romanch's Law, banning horse-drawn carriages from city streets and Central Park by June 1, 2028. Seven council members voted against the measure and two abstained. Mayor Zohran Mamdani backed the bill, which ends a historic tourist activity after years of debate about public safety and animal welfare.

The Tragic Catalyst

The legislation is named after Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old Indian tourist who died following a carriage accident in Central Park on June 17, 2026. During a family trip, the carriage horse bolted after the driver stepped away to take a photograph. Romanch's mother fell from the vehicle, and the teenager jumped out to help her, suffering fatal injuries. Council Speaker Julie Menin held council hearings in July following the tragedy, and Council Member Christopher Marte renamed his proposed legislation from Ryder's Law to Romanch's Law in honor of the victim.

Worker Transition and Welfare

Council Member Marte first introduced the bill, which was championed by Speaker Menin. The law bans horse cabs while setting up a transition plan for impacted workers. This program offers job referrals, career counseling, hiring fairs, and financial compensation for business owners. Additionally, horse owners must certify by June 1, 2027, that retired horses will not go to slaughter or face inhumane treatment. Animal groups like PETA and NYCLASS praised the vote, with PETA offering fifty thousand dollars to help retire the horses to rescue farms.

Opposition and Pushback

The Transport Workers Union, which speaks for carriage owners and drivers, plans to seek court orders to block the law, arguing it takes away their livelihoods. Former cab driver Medet Fidan, who has driven carriages for 15 years, said the city is leaving them with a big mess. President Donald Trump also questioned the ban on Truth Social, asking why cars remain allowed if carriages are banned.

Context

Horse-drawn carriage operations in major urban centers have long sparked clashes between tourism traditions and animal rights advocates. Cities worldwide increasingly face pressure to balance historic transport sectors with modern animal welfare standards and street safety concerns.