Thomas Lynch pleaded guilty this morning to a Class A misdemeanor of attempted aggravated battery for the September 2007 paceline attack on St. Mary’s Road.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, a group of 17 riders

— myself among them —

was riding single-file close to 30 mph when Lynch veered into its path and braked, causing a large crash, then sped away. One victim was transported to the hospital for examination. Another would eventually have surgery for injuries suffered in the crash.

Lynch called 911 to claim that cyclists had kicked out his taillight after he had stopped to avoid hitting a squirrel. On the dispatcher’s recommendation, Lynch returned to the scene to turn himself in.

In February prosecutors charged Lynch with seven felonies, including felony hit-and-run. In the interest of a guaranteed conviction, however, we recently agreed to the compromised plea bargain.

While we feel felony convictions would have properly reflected the magnitude of the attack, we understand the unpredictability of the jury system. Misdemeanor in hand, felonies in bush, as it were. But we are pleased that the terms of the plea include extensive punishment and reparation. Among these terms:

• » Two years of probation, transferred to Florida, his home state;
• » Prohibition from driving on St. Mary’s or Everett Roads;
• » Court costs;
• » Letter of apology to the League of Illinois Bicyclists;
• » $3,500 donation to the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (now the Active Transportation Alliance);
• » Anger-management evaluation and treatment.

I have no doubt that even when we ride single-file and within our rights our presence vexes many drivers on the North Shore. This was not the first time that a driver has maliciously braked in front of a paceline of mine. In August an Alberto’s ride was attacked, also on St. Mary’s Road,  and a similar attack to ours occured in L.A. in July with much more dire consequences. We hope publicity from this case will remind both drivers and cyclists of the need to share the road peacefully and responsibly.

We are thankful to all the cycling advocates who wrote on our behalf and offered other support. And we are extremely thankful to our Lake County prosecutors, Brett Henne and Lonnie Renda, for seeing this case through to its conclusion. Not every prosecutor would have taken our grievances seriously. They went the extra miles to see that felony charges were made, and then ensured that the ensuing plea held adequate punishment.