I started riding the clipless pedals back in '99 or so. I fell a few times. Seems like I "almost fell" a lot. There was one time that really stands out. I was coming to a T in the road and looking at traffic and had thought I could just go left and not stop. That didn't happen and when I stopped I hadnt thought about how I was going to get my foot off the pedal (I had been on clips and straps for about 20 years prior to that) and over I went to the pavement. I dont think anyone saw. I vowed to think more about unclipping after that and got it in my head how to do it after that point. Falling is a great teacher, but you dont HAVE to learn that way.