A long-simmering debate in New York City has reignited as the animal rights organization NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets) launches a multimillion-dollar campaign to ban horse-drawn carriages in Manhattan. The proposed legislation, known as the “Riders Act,” seeks to replace traditional horse-drawn carriages with electric carriages, signaling a potential end to one of the city’s most recognizable — and controversial — tourist attractions.
The Campaign and Its Goals
NYCLASS, which has campaigned for more than a decade to end the use of carriage horses, is ramping up its efforts with billboards, television ads, and public events across the city. The organization argues that forcing horses to navigate chaotic city streets, dense traffic, and extreme weather is cruel and outdated.
“Manhattan’s streets are no place for horses,” said Allie Feldman Taylor, executive director of NYCLASS. “We have the technology to modernize this industry with safe, clean electric carriages that preserve the charm without the suffering.”
The Riders Act would mandate the gradual retirement of horse-drawn carriages and provide a transition plan for drivers, including retraining and licensing opportunities to operate electric alternatives.
Animal Welfare vs. Tradition
Supporters of the ban cite numerous incidents involving carriage horses collapsing or being injured on city streets. Animal welfare advocates argue that the constant exposure to noise, exhaust, and heavy workloads endangers the horses’ health and well-being.
However, opponents of the bill — including carriage drivers and their union representatives — say the proposal threatens hundreds of jobs and a century-old tradition that defines Central Park and the city’s tourism experience.
“We take care of our horses like family,” said Patrick Malone, a third-generation carriage driver. “They work a few hours a day, have mandatory rest periods, and spend months upstate on pasture. This is not cruelty — it’s our livelihood and part of New York’s soul.”
City Hall Divided
The issue has divided both city leaders and residents. Some City Council members back NYCLASS’s proposal, viewing it as a step toward a more humane and environmentally sustainable city. Others warn that the ban could damage small businesses and erase a piece of living history.
Mayor Eric Adams has expressed openness to electric carriage alternatives but has not yet endorsed the Riders Act. Political analysts note that public opinion appears split — with polls showing strong support for protecting animals but also nostalgia for the horse-drawn rides that have featured in countless movies, postcards, and weddings.
Looking Ahead
The City Council is expected to debate the Riders Act later this year. In the meantime, NYCLASS continues its high-profile campaign to sway public opinion, while carriage drivers are mobilizing to defend their trade.
The battle over horse-drawn carriages has become more than just a question of animal rights — it’s a struggle over how New York defines itself in the 21st century: a city rooted in tradition or one galloping toward modernization.
