In an effort to combat upskirting incidents at the Oktoberfest in Munich, women participating in the festival are being provided free cycling shorts for added protection. This initiative follows an investigation revealing that a significant number of voyeuristic videos have been circulating online, particularly those filmed at the Teufelsrad, or Devil’s Wheel, a popular amusement ride at the festival.
Concerns Over Voyeurism
The Teufelsrad, known for its rapid spinning motion where riders attempt to remain seated for as long as possible, has reportedly become a hotspot for voyeuristic activity, as identified in research conducted by Süddeutsche Zeitung. The investigation uncovered over 32,000 videos linked to this ride on Meta platforms alone, many of which feature women in traditional dirndl dresses, sometimes showing intimate moments as the dresses ride up.
Legal Context and Community Response
Upskirting, the act of surreptitiously filming or photographing someone’s skirt without consent, has been illegal in Germany since 2020, with penalties including fines and imprisonment of up to two years. Despite this legal framework, advocates for women’s rights argue that current laws may not be sufficient in deterring such behavior.
Amusement ride operator Elisabeth Polaczy has taken proactive measures by distributing more than 100 pairs of cycling shorts to women and girls wearing dresses during this year’s Oktoberfest. “I want to do everything I can to make people feel secure,” Polaczy stated, highlighting her commitment to enhancing safety for all festival-goers.
Enforcement Efforts
In addition to Polaczy’s initiative, signs and police posters in both German and English are prominently displayed around the Teufelsrad, alerting visitors to the illegality of upskirting and urging respect for personal privacy. However, Polaczy noted the challenges in monitoring smartphone use among the large crowd.
The Bavarian police, who have been actively combatting this issue, reported efforts that began in 2025, including the continued posting of warnings around the festival grounds. This year, authorities arrested a 45-year-old Swiss man for attempting to record under a woman’s dirndl, adding to previous years where multiple arrests were made—ten in 2025 and seven in 2024—related to similar offenses.
Conclusion
The combination of community-driven initiatives and law enforcement efforts seeks to create a safer environment at Oktoberfest, particularly at attractions like the Teufelsrad, where issues of privacy invasion have become a pressing concern. With ongoing vigilance and support, the goal remains to protect the dignity and rights of all attendees during this celebrated event.
