The Munich Oktoberfest operator of the Teufelsrad amusement ride has handed out more than 100 free pairs of cycling shorts to women and girls this year after at least 32,000 voyeuristic videos emerged on social media, the BBC reported. The attraction’s rotating platform causes riders to fall off and skirts to fly up, leaving visitors vulnerable to filming despite German laws carrying up to two-year jail sentences for upskirting.
Teufelsrad Ride Mechanics Fuel Viral Voyeurism
The Teufelsrad, translating to the Devil’s Wheel, stands as one of the oldest attractions at the 16-day annual Munich beer festival. Riders sit or lie on a large circular platform that spins with increasing speed until riders fall off.
The motion routinely causes traditional dirndl dresses to fly upward. Investigations by local broadcaster BR found that a group of professional YouTubers from Ukraine and several individuals from Bavaria recorded these moments, amassing at least 32,000 videos in circulation. Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that some clips surpassed millions of views.
One specific video earned a creator €9,000, according to BR’s findings. While filming under a skirt is illegal under German law and punishable by up to two years in prison, critics argue the legislation remains insufficient because it requires proof that someone intentionally filmed underneath a garment rather than merely capturing a skirt flying up during motion.
Elisabeth Polaczy Distributes Cycling Shorts to Protect Visitors
Ride operator Elisabeth Polaczy began supplying free cycling shorts to female visitors wearing dresses three years ago. At 80 years old, she stated that she wants to do everything possible to ensure attendees feel secure while riding the attraction.
“I want to do everything I can to make people feel secure,” Polaczy told the BBC, noting that while purchasing the shorts is expensive, the peace of mind justifies the cost. She distributed over 100 pairs during the recent festival.
The Teufelsrad tent features bilingual police posters and signs warning against filming under skirts. Polaczy noted that controlling every individual using a smartphone in the crowd remains impossible, prompting some waitresses at the festival to also wear cycling shorts underneath their dirndls for protection.
Bavarian Police Arrest Tourist for Filming Under Festival Dress
Bavarian police stepped up enforcement by running a dedicated poster campaign warning that upskirting is a crime. Officers arrested a 45-year-old Swiss man during the festival for using his mobile phone to film under a German woman’s dirndl. Police recorded 10 arrests for upskirting last year and seven arrests in 2024.
Despite these measures, Josephine Ballon, head of the German non-profit organization Hate Aid supporting victims of digital violence, told the BBC that current laws fail to provide adequate protection. Ballon pointed out that legislation applies strictly to direct filming under skirts rather than capturing clothing lifted by momentum, while emerging technology like camera glasses poses an escalating threat.
Ballon advocates for penalizing anyone uploading intimate images alongside the hosting platforms. Meanwhile, the city of Munich implemented stricter regulations for influencers and content creators seeking to film at the Oktoberfest, banning live broadcasts and requiring paid permits for filming.
German Law Permits Prison Time for Upskirting Offenders
- Ride Protection: Operators provide complimentary cycling shorts to dress-wearing visitors at the Teufelsrad tent.
- Legal Penalties: German law permits up to two years in prison for individuals convicted of upskirting.
- Permit Requirements: Munich enforces a paid permit system for influencers and content creators wanting to record material at the festival.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oktoberfest Filming Laws
What penalties do offenders face for upskirting at the Oktoberfest?
German law carries a prison sentence of up to two years for individuals convicted of filming underneath someone’s clothing without consent.
How many arrests did police make for upskirting at the festival?
Bavarian police arrested a 45-year-old Swiss man during this year’s event, following 10 arrests last year and seven arrests in 2024.
Why are influencers restricted from live streaming at the Oktoberfest?
The city of Munich requires content creators and influencers to obtain and pay for a filming permit while strictly prohibiting live broadcasts from the festival grounds.
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