I suspect this is pretty close to it. I too wear shorts over spandex, because I need pockets on the train, and I don't want to be observed 'getting dressed' at the bike parking -- might send the wrong signals. Wearing spandex, you stand out as 'different' which is, as we all know, the cardinal sin in American society.

I suspect that if you asked women runners whether they get more or less 'commentary' depending on how they dress for their runs, you'd find a similar story (I don't know -- I'm only guessing).