Question

read the excerpt from chapter 2 of wheels of change
smith blamed the bicycle for the downfall of womens health, morals, and religious devotion. her accusations brought a swift and impassioned response. the reverend dr. a. stewart walsh, a respected clergyman in new york city and a cyclist himself, wrote a letter to the editor of the brooklyn eagle declaring, i have associated with thousands of riders... and i have not seen among them... anything that could begin to approach the outrageous and scandalous indecency of the resolutions of the alleged rescue league.
the underlined portion of the excerpt is best characterized as a
o short - term effect of smiths activism to promote regulations on women riding bicycles.
o short - term effect of smiths attempts to limit womens use of the bicycle.
o long - term effect of smiths advocacy for more conservative cycling clothes for women.
o long - term effect of smiths anti - bicycle activism aimed at women.

Explanation:

Smith's accusations (anti - bicycle activism aimed at women) led to an immediate (short - term) response. The response was a letter from a respected clergyman and cyclist (Dr. A. Stewart Walsh) refuting Smith's claims. It is a direct reaction to Smith's statements, not something that developed over a long period (so not long - term). Also, it's a response to her anti - bicycle stance, not about regulations on women riding bicycles (as the letter is more about refuting the indecency claim) or conservative cycling clothes.

Answer:

short - term effect of Smith’s attempts to limit women’s use of the bicycle.