Oktoberfest Ride Operator Distributes Cycling Shorts to Stop Upskirting
At Munich's Oktoberfest, the operator of the Teufelsrad has begun handing out free cycling shorts to women, in response to the flood of upskirting videos of riders on the popular spin cycle.
The Teufelsrad, a long‑running attraction, spins riders until they fall over, often causing skirts or dirndls to lift and expose undergarments. With some clips going viral and certain collectors earning thousands of euros, the operator, 80‑year‑old Elisabeth Polaczy, has distributed more than 100 pairs of shorts this year.
Although filming under skirts is illegal in Germany—with up to two years in jail—critics say current laws do not cover accidental lifts. Several videos have been digitally altered to show nudity, while a group of YouTubers from Ukraine and local Bavarians reportedly profit from the footage.
The city has tightened regulations: live streaming is banned, and a permit is required for any filming inside the festival grounds. Police campaigns with posters highlighting that “upskirting is a crime” have been mounted, and a Swiss man was recently arrested for capturing a woman’s skirt from a distance.
Non‑profit Hate Aid calls for stronger liability on platforms that host such content, advocating for penalties against both uploaders and hosts. The measure of providing shorts, while a small gesture, reflects growing public pressure to safeguard privacy against the rise of digital voyeurism.
