Edudbor said:
All in all, this is a terrible idea.
I get the whole 'Yeah - let's teach 'em a lesson' mentality...but think about it for a second....First - most/many motorists will be driving with their windows closed. And, at least in the US; you'll have to spray the driver, that means aiming through the passanger window and hitting the driver in the eyes. I'm not sure how accurate you are with a spray bottle, but it's a tough shot.
Consider also, that the guy in the car is probably going signifcantly faster than you.
Finally, think of what will happen should you actually hit the driver in the face. He's now unable to see. For you to be able to spray him, you have to be directly to his right. His first instict will either be a.) Get off the road, which means he'll pull to the right hitting you or b.) Teach that damn biker a lesson, which means he'll pull to the right hitting you.
Let's be realistic - as much as it bothers us to have drivers disregard us; we are at a VERY real, VERY LARGE disadvantage. We have 15-20 pound bikes. How much does the average SUV weigh?
And let's not forget the legal ramifications....you have a legal right to defend yourself, but not to 'make a point' or 'set an example' for other drivers to fear. You spray a guy, he veers off the road and hits a pole and dies. Now his family sues you. Can you convince a jury that spraying the guy as he passes you was nessecary to protect yourself from serious bodily harm - or will they feel that, since the guy was already passing you you were simply a ****** off biker. If they feel you weren't acting in self defense, now you are looking at some very serious crimes.
EDIT: Unless I'm misunderstanding how you mean. If the driver has exited the vehicle and is keeping pace with you on foot, or something, sure.
That is a very good point. I have been considering the wording of my criminal defense. My original idea for the paint was to tag their vehicle. I already have pepper spray for any dogs that I encounter be they on two legs or four.
I have a nifty little carrier that I have made that carries a can of spray paint.
If they are out of their vehicle, they get pepper spray. If they exit their vehicle and get a face full of pepper, they don't have much of a case against me.
If they "assault" or attempt to "assault" me with their vehicle but do not exit, they get the paint where ever I can put it. By far most of the drivers I have encountered that want to pursue this endeavor drive large vehciles so I have lot's of target area.
If they try to prosecute me for property damage, they will have to defend them self for assault.
My justification to the police for tagging the vehicle is that of identification, the same way banks put paint bombs in bags of money for bank robbers or the neon colored, foaming spray some women carry to ward off and later identify rapist and muggers. If I give them a vehicle description and license plate number, they never find the person. Tagging the vehicle with paint is merely an attempt to help the police do a better job of protecting it's citizens, mainly me.
The fact that I will get satisfaction out of it is purely coincidental.
Today, on my way in there was a truck that was riding dangerously close behind me, right on my back wheel, laying on the horn for two or three minutes. We passed a cop, I waved at the cop and motioned to the truck and the cop just smirked. Serve and protect?
I tried to tag him but all he got was mist, when he drove off he floored it and moved into the other lane.
The thing is, my commute is on a well marked designated bike route, most of which has bike lanes or wide shoulders.
My motto, my mantra while on the commute is "I will not be bullied". The cops are not going to do their job, I might end up dead but I will not be bullied.
