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In brief
The New York City Council is expected to vote on a ban on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, which would start in June 2028 and is backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Roughly 200 carriage drivers work in Central Park, and Alexus Lawson, a 28-year-old driver of six years, asked what she is supposed to do with her horse.
In June an 18-year-old tourist from India died after falling from a carriage when the horse bolted, and the planned ban is named after him.
The Manhattan Borough President's office says 40 horses working in Central Park have died since 1982, citing overheating and collisions.
New York
New York · United States
How it came to this
June 2026An 18-year-old tourist from India dies after falling from a carriage when the horse bolts
22 OctNew York City Council expected to vote on the ban
June 2028Planned start date of the ban on horse-drawn carriages
The proposed ban
The New York City Council is expected to vote on Thursday, 22 October, on a measure that would outlaw horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. The ban would take effect in June 2028. Mayor Zohran Mamdani supports the proposal and has said he will work on a transition plan for people employed in the trade.
Drivers worried about their livelihoods
Roughly 200 drivers operate carriages in the park. LesEchos puts the tradition at more than 150 years, while the BBC says over 160 years. Alexus Lawson, a 28-year-old who has driven in the park for six years, said she worries about what happens to her horse if the carriages disappear.
“What am I supposed to do with my horse?”
Alexus Lawson
Drivers told the BBC they are devoted to their animals, that the rides do not pose a safety risk, and that they do not want other jobs. They also reject claims that the horses are mistreated. Lawson called the fatal incident in the park extremely tragic.
Deaths fuel the push for a ban
In June, an 18-year-old tourist from India who was visiting New York with his family fell from a carriage and died after the horse bolted. The planned ban is named after the teen. It follows the death earlier this year of a carriage horse, Deniz, which ate a toxic plant in the park. Since 1982, 40 horses working in Central Park have died, according to the office of the Manhattan Borough President, which cites overheating and collisions among the causes.
New York leaders had sought a ban before, under pressure from animal-rights activists, but council members and unions representing workers pushed back. This summer the effort regained momentum after the teenager's death.
Residents split on the ban
New York resident Ron Tsur backs the ban and points to horses dying in the park.
“There were a few cases of horses dying in the middle of the park. You can clearly see that they're not taken care of.”
Ron Tsur
The key dates in the dispute run from the June death to the planned start of the ban.
New York City Council set to vote on banning Central Park horse-drawn carriages
The council is expected to vote on Thursday, 22 October, on a ban that would take effect in June 2028. Drivers fear for their incomes, while some residents welcome the move after a tourist's death in the park in June.
AI text based on reports by BBC and LesEchos.fr. Published .