The famous City Council bill known as Ryder’s Law that aims to ban horse carriages in the Big Apple will now be called Romanch’s Law — after the 18-year-old tourist fatally tossed during a ride last week.
The bill was pitched in 2022 by former city Councilman Bob Holden after tragic horse Ryder collapsed on a hot August day and later died and then reintroduced for consideration again this year by Councilman Chris Marte — who said he will now change its name to honor tragic teen Romanch Mahajan.
“For years, New Yorkers have warned that horse-drawn carriages put passengers, workers, parkgoers, pedestrians, and horses in danger,” Marte’s office said in a statement Sunday.
“Romanch’s death follows a series of serious carriage horse incidents, including the recent death of Deniz in Central Park, and has made clear that the City can no longer delay action.”
The proposed law’s name change is set to be formally announced at an 11 a.m. vigil Monday at the Cherry Hill Fountain in Central Park, where Mahajan, a tourist from India, was killed while on a horse-carriage ride with his family Wednesday.
Mahajan fatally struck his head while trying to save his mother as their carriage driver allegedly flouted common-sense protocol and got out of the ride to take a picture of the family, leaving the horse to take off.
“It appears the driver was at least at arm’s length from his horse. This is unacceptable,” said Alexander Kemp, a vice president of the Transport Workers Union Local 100, which oversees the drivers, in a statement.
“A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos — ever. We support a full investigation.”
The driver has been suspended, and the 7-year-old horse involved, Sampson, was retired.
Mahajan’s death could to be a turning point in the battle over the horse carriages.
Council Speaker Julie Menin announced hours after the tragedy that a hearing on Ryder’s Law will take place in July.
Ryder’s Law was reintroduced by Marte last week after the City Council’s health panel refused to advance it out of committee in November — despite support from the Central Park Conservancy and then-Mayor Eric Adams.
During his mayoral campaign, now-Mayor Zohran Mamdani had indicated support both for a ban on the carriages as well as the formation of a panel to study the decades-old industry.
“Romanch’s Law would end horse-drawn carriages in New York City while creating a pathway for workers to transition into safer, stable jobs,” Marte’s office said in a statement.
“Council Member Marte, joined by colleagues and advocates, will call on the City Council to act with the urgency this moment demands.”
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