“AZ’s fi ttest CChandler handler
IN THIS
couple” offers aartists rtists
SECTION
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www.SanTanSun.com April 21 - May 4, 2007
by Natalie Morris
While most children get a thrill out of seeing fi re trucks roaring
through the city, they may fi nd Chandler Fire Department’s Battalion
Chief Dan Couch’s usual ride just as cool. Arizona Governor Janet
Napolitano named April “Valley Bike Month,” and to celebrate, Valley
Metro has organized numerous riding events. But the City of
Chandler Fire Department has its own personal crusader for
bike utilization and safety, with Couch logging 86,000
miles on his recumbent bicycle since purchasing it in
n
2002.
f
u
Couch rarely rode a bike until he discovered
f
e
the recumbent.

i
,
“What’s great about the recumbent
h
is that you’re in a natural sitting
y
position and so there is no stress
t
chiefc
on your back,” says Couch,

e
who adds that it’s great
f
e
for those with back
r
a
or knee problems
re
who want to
fi
s

exercise but

r
can’t re ide
a typical
e
k
l
bicycle.
i
d However,
b
Couch’s main
n
motivation for
s
a
starting to ride was a
realization that exercise just
e
h
l
wasn’t happening as naturally
as it once had.
C
d

“I was in the offi ce and didn’t take
Chandler
d
time to exercise each day,” he admits.
By riding his recumbent bicycle 13.4 miles
e
to work each way, he now gets in two hours of
ppeddles bike safety, fun
aerobic exercise a day.
STSN photo by Gordon Murray
“When I ride to work it sets the tone for the whole EASY RIDER: Battalion Chief Dan Couch, who pedaled 86,000 miles
day – I feel good about myself.” Plus, the bike has paid for
since 2002 prefers the more comfortable seating provided by a
itself in gas savings alone.
recumbent bicycle.
According to Couch, the City of Chandler has always encouraged
employees to use alternate modes of transportation to get to work.
Small incentives such as movie tickets and recognition lunches are
used to increase the number of employees riding to work, and other
Chandler employers like Intel often provide similar programs.
Riding a bicycle to work in Chandler may be getting even easier, too.
While older streets in well-established neighborhoods typically don’t
offer bike paths, many newer housing developments and subdivisions
offer bike-friendly amenities like paths and wider streets. In addition,
street widening projects along major roads in Chandler almost always
include the addition of designated bike lanes.
Bicycle safety
Whether riding to work or just cruising around the neighborhood,
safety has to be a top priority, and that starts with helmets. While
wearing a helmet is not mandatory in Arizona, it’s just good common
sense, says Couch. Every year, 176,000 kids go to the emergency room
STSN photo by Gordon Murray
SAVES GAS: Dedicated bike lanes on newer city streets makes it
See Fire chief Page A+4
easier for Chandler Fire Department’s Dan Couch to ride more than
13 miles to work every day.
Spiderman swings
into Atomic Comics
Meet comic book writers, artists and a day long. Atomic Comics estimates the number of
legendary superhero when Atomic Comics, comic books distributed to be in the thousands.
Arizona’s largest independent comic book Artists and writers scheduled to appear at
retailer, celebrates “Free Comic Book Day” from the Chandler store from noon to 5 p.m. include
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sat., May 5 at several locations Mike Kunkel, Patrick Scherberger, James Owens,
throughout the Valley, including the Chandler Jeremy Owens and Madame M. Spider-Man also
Fashion Center store. makes a special guest appearance from 4:30 to
“Free Comic Book Day is our way of celebrating 9 p.m.
comics as a whole,” says Atomic Comics owner Atomic Comics’ Chandler store is at 3155 W.
Mike Malve. “This event is a great opportunity Chandler Blvd. in the Chandler Fashion Center.
to introduce comics to new people, young and To learn more, visit www.freecomicbookday.
old.” com or www.atomiccomics.com.
Submitted photo
All four Atomic Comics locations in the Valley
WEB WEAVER: Spider-Man poses with fans at last year’s Free Comic Book Day
will give away free comic books to attendees all
at Atomic Comics.
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