The operator of the Teufelsrad, or Devil's Wheel, at the Munich Oktoberfest has begun distributing free cycling shorts to women to combat voyeuristic filming. This initiative comes after thousands of videos showing women on the ride have circulated on social media, some garnering millions of views.
Background
The Teufelsrad is one of the oldest attractions at the Oktoberfest, which concludes this weekend after 16 days of festivities. The ride’s circular platform spins increasingly faster, often causing skirts to fly up, leading to inappropriate filming. While filming under skirts is illegal in Germany, critics argue that the current laws do not adequately protect women.
Recent Developments
Elisabeth Polaczy, the operator of the Teufelsrad, has handed out over 100 pairs of cycling shorts this year alone. She stated, "I want to do everything I can to make people feel secure." Despite the costs, Polaczy believes the effort is worthwhile for peace of mind.
The Scope of the Issue
Investigations by local broadcaster BR revealed that a woman made €9,000 (£7,650) from a single clip of her on the ride. The Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that at least 32,000 videos of women on the Teufelsrad are in circulation, with some viewed millions of times.
