Oktoberfest: Free Bike Shorts Fight Upskirting (2026)

What Is the Oktoberfest Upskriting Problem?

Upskirting at Oktoberfest has taken center stage in Munich as ride operators distribute free bike shorts to women to prevent voyeuristic filming under their traditional dirndl skirts. The move follows revelations that more than 32,000 videos linked to the Teufelsrad ride have circulated on Meta platforms alone, some with millions of views. Since 2020, secretly filming or photographing under someone's skirt without consent has been illegal in Germany, punishable by up to two years in prison.

At the world-famous Oktoberfest in Munich, the Teufelsrad (Devil's Wheel) has become an unintended focal point for upskirting. The attraction is one of the oldest on the festival grounds: a fast-spinning wooden platform where riders try to remain seated as long as possible before being thrown off. For women in dirndls, the spinning motion often causes skirts to ride up, creating opportunities for voyeuristic filming.

According to an investigation by Süddeutsche Zeitung, at least 32,000 videos connected to the ride have been uploaded to Meta platforms alone. Some clips have been viewed millions of times, and at least one creator reportedly earned €9,000 from a single video. Many videos focus on women whose traditional dresses have shifted, and some images have even been digitally altered to appear nude. The Oktoberfest upskirting videos have raised urgent questions about privacy, consent, and enforcement.

Free Bike Shorts: A Practical Safety Measure

To counter the problem, Teufelsrad operator Elisabeth Polaczy, 80, has begun distributing free cycling shorts to women and girls before they board. This year she has handed out more than 100 pairs.

'I want to do everything I can to make people feel safe,' Polaczy told the BBC. The shorts, worn beneath dirndls, provide an extra layer of protection so that even if skirts lift, intimate areas are not exposed.

How the Free Shorts Program Works

• Women and girls receive a free pair of cycling shorts at the Teufelsrad entrance.
• The shorts are worn under traditional dirndl dresses to prevent accidental exposure.
• Over 100 pairs have been distributed during the 2026 festival so far.
• Warning signs in German and English alert visitors that upskirt filming is illegal.

Germany's 2020 Upskirting Law Explained

Since 2020, German law has made it a criminal offense to secretly film or photograph under a person's skirt without consent. The offense carries a fine or a maximum prison sentence of two years. However, legal experts and victim advocates say the current law has significant gaps. The German upskirting law does not always apply when skirts simply fly up during a ride, when the entire carousel is filmed, or when women are wearing leggings. Deepfake thumbnails and altered images also fall outside the current statute.

Legal Loopholes and Enforcement

• Filming under clothing is illegal, but the law does not cover a skirt lifting naturally in public.
• Prosecutors have dropped some cases because no victim was named or the footage showed the ride's 'usual course'.
• Munich now requires filming permits and bans live streaming at Oktoberfest.
• Police have stepped up patrols and displayed anti-upskirting posters in German and English.

Impact: Arrests, Public Awareness, and Industry Response

This year, a 45-year-old Swiss man was arrested for filming under a dirndl at the Teufelsrad. Last year, police made ten arrests connected to upskirting at the festival. The issue has also drawn attention from Bavarian privacy campaigners who argue that legal reform is urgently needed.

The German government has announced plans to tighten Section 184k of the criminal code to cover voyeuristic filming of clothed genital areas and AI-generated deepfakes. Meanwhile, platforms have removed content following media inquiries, and some Oktoberfest waitresses now wear shorts beneath their dirndls as a precaution.

FAQ: Oktoberfest Upskriting and Bike Shorts

Why are free bike shorts being given out at Oktoberfest?

Free cycling shorts are distributed at the Teufelsrad ride to prevent upskirting by covering women's underwear and intimate areas when dirndl skirts ride up during the spinning attraction.

Is upskirting illegal in Germany?

Yes. Since 2020, secretly filming or photographing under someone's skirt without consent is a criminal offense in Germany, punishable by a fine or up to two years in prison.

How many upskirting videos from Oktoberfest exist?

Investigations found at least 32,000 videos linked to the Teufelsrad on Meta platforms alone, with some clips viewed millions of times.

Who is distributing the free bike shorts?

Elisabeth Polaczy, the 80-year-old operator of the Teufelsrad, has handed out more than 100 pairs of free cycling shorts to women and girls during the 2026 festival.

What should victims of upskirting do?

Victims are advised to report incidents to police immediately and to contact support organizations such as HateAid, which provides legal guidance for digital violence.