Boris wants more Londoners to be like him

Over on Bikeforall.net I’ve just done this story on the mayor of London’s plans to get “one million more Londoners to use their legs for transport.”

Boris is famous for his (alleged) buffoonery, his shock of yellow hair and his love of cycling. However, as London’s big cheese he can’t be seen to side with us all the time. Before he was elected mayor he was rent-a-quote when it came to cycling. Not any more, he’s forced to be institutionally diplomatic, and can’t take sides.

So, we won’t see the like of these quotes from the new Boris.

On the benefits of bicycling:

“E is for exertion, endorphins and ecstasy: The first produces the next, which produces the next, as you whiz through London’s lovely streets and look at the play of light through the plane trees, and you inhale the open air, and you think of the poor souls stuck in the taxis, the cars, the buses and, God help them, the Tube.”

On what should be done to bike thieves:

“I think these people deserve punishment and I’m calling for Sharia law for bicycle thieves.

“If I had my way I would plant decoys in a whole lot of bicycles across the borough and in the evening I would send Navy Seals in through the thieves’ windows and show them what it’s all about.”