Janet White, animal advocate and Hatboro resident, has long sought to remove carriage horses from the streets of Philadelphia. She recognizes their tourism appeal; however, she believes in a safer, more humane alternative. Mike Newall reported her efforts in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

White is working through her local organization Carriage Horse Freedom to replace equine-powered transport with ones run by electric motors.

She’s so committed to the idea, she has purchased one of her own.

“It was a game changer,” White said.

She’s planning to run the carriage in Old City this July 4, enticing tourists with a vintage ride with all the charm of the former experience and no animal endangerment.

According to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, horse-drawn rides in metropolitan areas are “accidents waiting to happen.” Navigating narrow streets filled with cars, trucks, pedestrians, exhaust poses multiple threats to equine health and well-being.

Earlier this year, Philadelphia’s last carriage company pulled its horses as a touring option and cleared out its stables.

If the electric versions prove street-worthy, a legislative ban on the equine mode may follow.

More on Janet White and her electric transport is at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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A video overview of electric carriages.