Central Park horse-carriage ban: Letters to the Editor — Oct. 19, 2026

The Issue: The mayor and City Council speaker agree to shut down the Central Park horse-carriage industry.

The editorial on Mayor Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin’s deal to end the Central Park horse-carriage trade nailed it (“A Dirty Horse-Killing Deal,” Editorial, Oct. 15).

As a horse professional with 30 years in the business, I can confirm that the 160 horses will have nowhere to go and the 68 carriage-medallion owners are losing everything (with no compensation).

The “public safety” claim collapses against a single death in over a century. This isn’t about safety — follow the money. Those stables sit on some of the most coveted real estate in the city.

This ban sets a precedent that puts every lawful animal enterprise in America at risk.

Joyce Chartier

San Antonio, Fla.

Tourists come to our city to experience Central Park in all its glory. The horse carriages have existed for over a century and all because of the incident where poor Romanch Mahajan was killed — they’re being banned.

What about all the pedestrians who have been killed by e-bikes? And yet, the city will likely never ban e-bikes.

This is wrong to do. It’s just another way to destroy our city.

Kim Cody

Whitestone

Even though the horses are being retired for other reasons, park-goers get the real prize: They can finally walk without watching their step, as manure was always the biggest issue.

Akiva Levine

Manhattan

Far more accidents and deaths occur from e-bikes and e-scooters that put public safety in parks at risk. And yet there is no action to ban these “horse­less” vehicles.

When will safety for pedestrians elicit such a swift response?

Joanne Skibicki

Manhattan

There is no question the death of Mahajan is tragic. I can’t imagine what his family is going through. Fortunately, accidents from the horse carriages in Central Park have been rare over the past century.

What’s not rare are the assaults, murders and bicycle accidents in Central Park which can result in permanent injury or death. Where is the outcry about these public-safety issues?

Elizabeth Schultz

Manhattan

With all the things that the city is experiencing — fleeing businesses, raging antisemitism, crime and failing public schools — you would think that the mayor would have other things to worry about.

This is what happens when an incompetent politician tries to make it look like he’s doing something. It’s pathetic.

Robert DiNardo

Farmingdale

Banning horse carriages based on the rare possibility of their killing people is completely outrageous and ironic. The mayor supports e-bikes and has widened bike lanes, which have caused many more tragic and deadly accidents for pedestrians.

Nancy Candib

Manhattan

One person was killed while riding in a horse-drawn carriage in the last century. Thousands of people have been killed by cars in the same century, so why not ban cars?

John Procida

Flushing

There is no question that Mahajan was tragically killed. His name and picture were featured many times to make this ban permanent. But where are the names of those who have been maimed or killed by e-bikes or e-scooters?

These instruments of death are becoming more frequent and can reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour. And despite many new bike lanes being erected, the drivers still ride on sidewalks.

Why aren’t they licensed so that these riders could possibly be tracked down in case of hitting or killing someone? Just imagine how much money the city could make if they require licenses.

Sylvia Kane

Brooklyn

Very few accidents have occurred with the horse carriages. Why not ban the taxi industry, as hundreds have been run down and killed by reckless drivers? How about banning the e-bikes?

The once-greatest city in the world will be unrecognizable because of these radical politicians.

JR Cummings

Manhattan

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