Press Release
NEW YORK—Following Speaker Julie Menin’s announcement that the City Council will hold a hearing on Ryder’s Law in July, the Central Park Conservancy issued the following statement:
"We are encouraged by Speaker Menin’s decision to convene a hearing in July to examine the future of horse-drawn carriages in New York City. We renew our call for New York City to pass Ryder’s Law, which would ban horse carriages and provide transitional job placement services for drivers. If any other activity in the Park posed a comparable risk to visitors, it would be suspended immediately while steps were taken to address those dangers."
On background: There have now been eight horse-related incidents in Central Park over the past thirteen months.
- June 17, 2026—A horse with passengers in the cab bolts from its driver at Cherry Hill near 72nd Street & West Drive. Horse races down West Drive and collides with another carriage, flipping over near Tavern on the Green. An 18-year old passenger suffered fatal injuries. Watch here.
- June 9, 2026—A horse has a medical emergency and collapses near 72nd Street & West Drive. Seconds later, the horse passes away. Two tourists were in the carriage when the horse collapsed, and dozens of parkgoers witnessed its tragic death. Watch here.
- May 19, 2026—A horse is spooked near Seventh Avenue and 59th Street and hit another carriage, causing it to tip over. One driver was taken to a local hospital in a neck brace. Watch here.
- January 8, 2026—A horse ran into oncoming traffic through the four-way intersection of Sixth Avenue and West 59th Street. Police said four to five cars were hit; the carriage struck a cab with enough force to tear its bumper off, and a Parks Department vehicle suffered damage. Watch here.
- September 4, 2025—Two visiting tourists were forced to jump from a speeding horse-drawn carriage after the animal bolted from its two drivers along the East Drive, careening across a landscape and taking out a metal sign before finally coming to rest near Bethesda Terrace. Watch here.
- May 26, 2025—Two horse-drawn carriages bolt through Central Park near the 60th Street & East Drive. Both carriage operators sustained injuries while attempting to regain control of the horses. The second driver broke his wrist catching his horse and needed surgery. Watch here.
- May 18, 2025—A driver was hurt after two horse-drawn carriages collided in Central Park at the 7th Avenue hack line, causing the carriage to overturn and briefly trapping the driver, who was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Watch here.
Questions may be directed to [email protected].
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About the Central Park Conservancy
The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization that manages Central Park and is responsible for raising the Park's annual operating budget. The Conservancy’s staff of 400 is responsible for all aspects of the Park’s stewardship, from day-to-day maintenance and operations to continued restoration and rebuilding projects. Additionally, the Conservancy operates the Park’s visitor centers, provides public programs, and serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. For more information, please visit centralparknyc.org.