"Hysterical vulgarians" has a nice ring to it (and is apparently a unique phrase by Google!). It combines the common approach of calling any woman passionate about something "hysterical", relegating conviction to a feminine weakness, and then mistakes whimsy for vulgarity. 

As james notes, Francie doesn't know her history. The suffragette movement is tightly tied to, amazing enough, whether women should be allowed to bicycle. Cycling women were thought indecent and vulgar, which led to the adoption of bloomers as active wear.