Women given free cycling shorts to prevent upskirting on Oktoberfest amusement ride

Women in Munich’s Oktoberfest have been handed free cycling shorts to shield them from upskirting on the Teufelsrad, a historic “Devil’s Wheel” ride that spins riders until they tumble off. The measure follows an investigation that uncovered more than 32,000 videos of the attraction circulating on Meta platforms, many of them showing the skirts of dirndl‑clad riders lifted by the ride’s rapid motion.

How the scandal unfolded

Journalists from the Süddeutsche Zeitung combed through social‑media feeds and identified tens of thousands of voyeuristic clips that had been shared and, in some cases, viewed millions of times. Local broadcaster BR traced a substantial portion of the footage to a group of professional YouTubers from Ukraine and several creators from Bavaria, noting that one clip earned a creator €9,000.

Media additions

The ride, installed in 1908, has long been a staple of the 16‑day festival that draws over six million visitors.

Legal backdrop and recent arrests

Filming under a skirt has been a criminal offence in Germany since 2020, punishable by a fine or up to two years’ imprisonment. However, campaigners argue that the law only applies when a person deliberately reaches under a garment, leaving a gap for images captured when a skirt lifts unintentionally.

A Bavarian police spokesperson confirmed that a poster campaign warning against upskirting has been displayed at the festival since 2025. This year, police arrested a 45‑year‑old Swiss man for filming beneath a German woman’s dirndl. The previous year saw ten arrests, and in 2024 there were seven.

Free shorts as a frontline defence

Elisabeth Polaczy, the 80‑year‑old operator of the Teufelsrad, has been distributing the shorts for the past three years. She told the BBC that more than 100 pairs have been handed out during the current festival.

"I want to do everything I can to make people feel secure."

Elisabeth Polaczy, operator, via BBC

Polaczy admitted that providing the garments is costly, but said the effort is “worth it for her own peace of mind.” Some waitresses have also begun wearing cycling shorts beneath their dirndls, a practice highlighted by both the BBC and The Mirror.

Signage, policing and technological upgrades

The Teufelsrad tent is lined with multilingual signs and police posters in German and English that explicitly forbid filming under skirts. Despite the warnings, Polaczy said it is impossible to control every smartphone in the crowd.

Munich police expected about 600 officers on duty, supplemented by Bavarian riot police, specialised pickpocket investigators and international task forces from eight countries, according to dpa.

Regulating content creators

City authorities have tightened rules for influencers and commercial filmmakers. Live streaming from Oktoberfest is now banned, and anyone wishing to film for commercial purposes must obtain a paid permit. Hundreds of licences have been issued this year, reflecting the festival’s growing reliance on influencer‑driven promotion.

Women’s rights groups call for reform

Josephine Ballon, head of the non‑profit Hate Aid, told the BBC that the current legislation “applies only when you film under the skirt,” leaving women exposed when a dress lifts naturally. Ballon said there are plans for a new law that would broaden the definition and also hold platforms that host such material accountable.

Official reaction

Oktoberfest director Christian Scharpf described the secret filming as “a disgrace,” while stressing that the Teufelsrad itself is a historic attraction, not the source of the problem. He reminded visitors that a dedicated “Safe Space” run by the Safe Wiesn for Girls and Women initiative is available for anyone who feels threatened.

What comes next

Meanwhile, the city’s crackdown on unlicensed livestreaming and the requirement for influencer permits are set to remain in place for the next festival.

For further updates on this story and related world news, stay tuned to Newsarchy UK.