Political ideals are always about missing the big picture...
Also, did the cycling advocates really believe the governments were so keen about cycling initiatives because they were so darned determined to do people a great big favour? Surely the cycling advocates weren't that clueless about the viper's nest they were getting themselves into? If the governments are patting you on the back today then it's guaranteed (every single time) that they'll be punching you in the face tomorrow. The only reason they provided you with that "free" rug was so they could pull it out from under you later on.
I mean... what year is it again? Come on. When will people wake up?