"In the early twentieth century, nothing conveyed the modern spirit of mobility, freedom, and independence better than the bicycle. When a pretty athletic girl was included, she added sexual desirability to the mix -- a sleek human machine joined to the manufactured machine. To many observers, this novel combination was exciting and perhaps a little frightening."

The photo & quote is actually from a quite fascinating article "Venus with Biceps: A Pictorial History of Muscular Women" at Brainpickings.

(Thanks Jesse.)