I believe actually the reference is to Animal Farm, whence the pigs start revising the Principles of Animalism written on the side of the barn. "All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others." Hitchingtons' quote is also from Animal Farm, hence the reference. If you would take the semi autobiographical "Down and Out in Paris and London", one might think Orwell(or Eric Blair) more of a walker than a cyclist.