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EXCLUSIVE: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to phase out horse-drawn carriage rides after an 18-year-old tourist died in a car crash in Central Park is expected to face legal challenges.
New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino told Fox News Digital that Intro 943, also known as the Romanch Law, is “unconstitutional.”
“There will be a trial coming because it’s unconstitutional,” Paladino said. “Intro 943 is unconstitutional. Lawsuits will be filed immediately after this effort passes. They will be laced with legalese.”
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New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino has raised concerns about mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s economic agenda, including his proposal to create government-run grocery stores. (Getty Images; Fox News)
The New York City Council is expected to vote Thursday on the proposal, which would phase out the horse-drawn carriage industry by June 1, 2028. The legislation would also establish a transition plan for horse-drawn carriage drivers and require humane disposition of horses.
The bill is named after Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist who died after jumping from a fleeing car in Central Park. Mahajan’s mother was also injured in the incident.
A carriage horse pulls an 1,800-pound carriage, tourists and the driver in Central Park on June 18, 2024. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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Paladino criticized the proposal, which was supported by animal rights groups including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). She argued the ban would threaten the livelihoods of carriers, many of whom are immigrants and small business owners.
“Let’s remember that these owners represent a melting pot,” Paladino said. “Their livelihoods exist in and around the city. »
Paladino also warned that eliminating carriage rides could harm New York City’s tourism industry and weaken a historic tradition.
“It’s a great tourist attraction,” she said. “People come from all over the world to do these carriage rides.”
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The city councilor also criticized proposed alternatives, including electric bikes and scooters, arguing that they can pose greater risks to pedestrians.
“These scooters and motorcycles going 30 to 40 kilometers an hour, these scooters going 30 to 40 kilometers an hour, zigzagging through the park, no license, no registration and no insurance,” Paladino said. “How many people get knocked down by these people?”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference on October 8, 2026 in New York. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
Paladino said the Mamdani administration should focus on regulating electric bikes and scooters instead of eliminating the transportation industry.
“If the Mamdani administration really cared about public safety, why isn’t it going after the scooter and bike industry?” she said.
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The union representing transport workers also said it plans to challenge the ban in court if the legislation becomes law.
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Mamdani’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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