During the nineteenth century, light exercise was recommended for the improvement of physical well-being, beauty, and grace. Calisthenics and gymnastics found adherents, especially at educational institutions, while bicycling became wildly popular in both the United States and Europe. A New York Times article from 1893 describes the "craze" for bicycling in Paris: "Young, old, thin, lean, long, lank, stout, very stout, pretty and ugly — every woman must, does or will mount the iron horse." For the woman bicyclist, a divided skirt provided mobility without compromising modesty. However, bifurcated garments were considered appropriate only in sports settings. In Paris, women risked arrest if bicycling costumes were worn out of context.

Link to a blog about hisoric bicycling styles

"Bicycling has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride on a wheel. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance." Susan B. Anthony, suffragist, 1896