Henry Winkler’s Warning to Fans After Pricey Mistake—’My Fault, I Paid’

Henry Winkler has issued a warning to fans about an issue they may encounter while visiting London, after he made an expensive misstep in the English capital.

The Barry star, 78, has spent a portion of the summer in the U.K., where he has appeared at venues to discuss his career and mark 50 years in showbusiness.

And while his enduring career has afforded him the opportunity to travel extensively, Winkler revealed on X, formerly Twitter, that he was left with a much larger bill than anticipated when he took a ride around London in a pedicab.

Sharing a photo that showed his driver pedaling the vehicle through the streets of the city, Winkler wrote on Tuesday: “TRAVEL TIP: DO NOT take one of these bicycle taxis without absolutely negotiating the price first.”

“This person in London rode us around in circles then finally to our destination 7 blocks away…for $170 US!” Winkler added. “My fault, I paid, but passenger beware!”

Reiterating his point, the Happy Days legend returned to the micro-blogging platform hours later to add: “Can NOT say this enough.”

The post sparked a reaction from fans, one of who said: “Being fair with the exchange rate that’s probably only about £50.”

Winkler responded that he had paid out “134 pounds” for the relatively short trip.

Commented another X user: “London cabbies are known for being honest, knowledgeable, and decent-It takes a full year for someone to gain all the Knowledge necessary to become a cab driver. I believe they drive black cars. Anyway, this is a former cabbie telling you to grab a real cab.”

“I did all the time,” the actor wrote back. “For that moment I LOST my mind.”

According to the U.K.’s Local Government Association, pedicabs have for several years been able to charge disproportionate rates for passenger journeys, because of being “exempt from the regulations which cover taxis and private hire vehicles.

“They do not need a [license] to operate, are able to set their own prices and are not subject to checks on the safety and ability of their drivers, or the road worthiness of their vehicles.”

However, this year saw the Department for Transport announce the passage of the Pedicabs (London) Bill that gives Transport for London the authority to “crack down on rogue pedicab drivers by regulating fares and improving safety standards—bringing the industry into line with other forms of transport in the capital.

“The bill, which is set to receive royal assent in the coming weeks, aims to close a legal loophole that has meant the industry in London is not regulated, exposing some customers—including tourists—to eyewatering fares, dangerous driving and antisocial [behavior] on the city’s streets.”