Ryder's Law, legislation aimed at winding down New York City's horse-drawn carriage industry, will not move forward. 

The City Council Committee on Health defeated the bill on Friday morning, with four members voting against it. 

The legislation would have phased out the city's longstanding and controversial horse carriage industry altogether by stopping new licenses from being issued and replacing the carriages with electric alternatives. 

"This was one of the most undemocratic displays I have ever witnessed in the New York City Council" City Councilmember Robert Holden said. "The Council could not care less what New Yorkers think. Even a member of the Committee said openly that decisions are made behind closed doors with Council leadership and special interests, not with the public."

"More than 75% of New Yorkers want horse-drawn carriages off city streets, so the carriage industry is resorting to dirty tricks to prop up this dying trade and keep exhausted horses pounding the pavement through sweltering summers and windy winters. PETA is confident that with compassionate councilmembers already committed to reintroducing this bill next term, the question isn't if New York will ban horse-drawn carriages, it's when," PETA Director Ashley Byrne said.

The union representing the carriage horse drivers thanked the committee for its vote. 

"We thank the NYC Council members who stood with the workers and their families today to defend their livelihoods," TWU International President John Samuelsen said. "They are largely hardworking immigrants who take good care of their horses, and have consistently been attacked and slandered by monied interests who care nothing about animal welfare."

Sameulsen proposed stabling the horses in Central Park to keep them off city streets. 

"As long as the stables occupy valuable Manhattan real estate, the issue will never completely go away. A stable in Central Park would be the best route forward for the workers and the horses. That should appease a significant number of critics who don't like the fact the horses now walk short distances from their stables to the park on city streets," Samuelsen said. 

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams urged councilmembers to pass Ryder's Law in September, reversing his long-standing position. He also issued an executive order to boost oversight of the industry. 

The mayor at the time said that carriages raise safety issues for horses, pedestrians and drivers.

"The last incident that involved a runaway, scared horse shows us why. This is a public safety issue," he said. "They need to put this on the floor and make sure that it is voted on and turned into law."

Ryder's Law was named after a horse that died several months after it collapsed on the street in Manhattan.