PSAT Reading & Writing Question of the Day

After the city installed protected bike lanes on several major corridors, critics argued the project was little more than a public-relations exercise. Yet traffic-camera data show a sustained decline in collisions and a modest increase in average vehicle speed during peak hours. The reform, in other words, was not _______, it produced measurable changes in safety and efficiency that extend beyond symbolism.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?