What is Romanch’s Law? New York City’s historic horse carriage ban after Indian tourist’s death
New York City has passed 'Romanch’s Law,' which will ban horse-drawn carriages by 2028 following the death of an Indian tourist. The legislation marks the end of a long-standing tourist tradition amid concerns over animal welfare and public safety.
Why it matters
This represents a significant municipal policy shift balancing traditional tourism with modern safety and animal rights standards.
What is Romanch’s Law? New York City’s historic horse carriage ban after Indian tourist’s death left A carriage horse is covered with a blanket, waiting for customers on Central Park South in New York on January 13, 2016. AP AP https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/h4t2cm/article71585394.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/NYC_Horse_Carriages_53311.jpg Mary Altaffer FILE - A carriage horse is covered with a blanket, waiting for customers on Central Park South in New York on Jan. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) The New York City Council voted to pass Romanch’s Law, a landmark measure that bans horse-drawn carriages from city streets and Central Park by June 1, 2028, in a move championed by Mayor Mamdani after an Indian tourist died following a carriage accident in Central Park In a significant move to end a longstanding tradition, the New York City Council voted on Thursday (October 22, 2026) to pass legislation banning horse-drawn carriages from city streets and Central Park.
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