In a bold bid to curb the growing problem of upskirting at Munich’s most famous festival, the operator of the Teufelsrad – the “Devil’s Wheel” amusement ride – has begun handing out free cycling shorts to women on the ride.
The romance of the Oktoberfest is now complicated by a sea of smartphones capturing scandalous footage of skirt‑lifting moments that have gone viral on social media. One video reached millions of views and reportedly earned the producer €9,000, while thousands more have been uploaded to the internet, prompting calls for stronger protection for women on the terraces.
"I want to do everything I can to make people feel secure," 80‑year‑old Elisabeth Polaczy told the BBC, citing the decades‑long tradition of the ride and the new danger of digital abuse. She has handed more than 100 pairs of red cycling shorts to women and girls wearing traditional dirndl dresses and other long skirts this year. The shorts, inexpensive to produce, aim to keep underwear hidden and reduce the risk of being filmed from below.
The city of Munich has responded with a new campaign, posting posters that read, “Upskirting is a crime,” and issuing permits for anyone who wishes to livestream from the festival grounds. The local police department arrested a Swiss man last week for filming under a German woman’s skirt, and last year numbers of police arrests for upskirting matched a record for 2024.
Despite these steps, activists say the law still does not cover accidental skirt lifting that is captured in photographs or videos. "The legislation applies only when you film under a skirt," said Josephine Ballon of the non‑profit Hate Aid, adding that camera‑glasses and other new devices raise additional concerns.
The move by Polaczy is part of a broader conversation about digital safety in public spaces, echoing calls across Germany for stricter penalties and preventative measures. Whether a simple red pair of shorts can truly deter the pervasive issue of upskirting remains to be seen, but it certainly marks a step toward making the Oktoberfest safer for all attendees.
