It must be more sinister than this. The council now employs several cycling officers. I would go as far as saying A team. The head of the council is a keen cyclist, he can be spotted on the towpath most mornings.
I was struck by a description in Orwell's Down and out in Paris where he describes working behind the scenes in upmarket hotel where the effort of the staff was to create the image of cleanliness and efficiency rather than actually doing it. at least in this example the people know they are working to a different plan than the customers. In much of life now it seems people think they are doing a good job? Or have had some feedback that suggests this, instead of doing the work?