Read this excerpt from Wheels of Change by Sue Macy. That said, it's hard to grasp the full extent of the bicycle's impact on Americans in the late 19th century—particularly female Americans. Imagine a population imprisoned by their very clothing; the stiff corsets, heavy skirts, and voluminous petticoats that made it difficult to take a deep breath, let alone exercise. Add to that the laws and social conventions that cemented a man's place as head of the household and holder of the purse strings. How suffocated women must have felt. And how liberated they must have been as they pedaled their wheels toward new horizons. What is the central idea of the excerpt?

The central idea of this excerpt from Wheels of Change by Sue Macy is the introduction of the bicycle to the American society and how liberating it was for people, specially for women.

Explanation:

In this excerpt, the author explains how important the introduction of the bike was for americans, and, specially, how live changing it was for women, who were socially so oppressed even in the way they use to dressed. It is very clear when the author writes: "How suffocated women must have felt. And how liberated they must have been as they pedaled their wheels toward new horizons." He feels that the introduction of the bicycle was kind of liberating for women because they could drive their own conveyance, without having to rely on men.