Ask how many experienced cyclists who ride at least 5000 miles a year he can find that believe clipless pedals are dangerous. Then ask how many he can find that believe that riding clipless improves safety. This idea that clipless is unsafe is in the same category as people who honestly believed that seatbelts were unsafe (i.e. better to be thrown clear of the wreck) when seatbelt laws first started getting passed.
Noncyclists and novices often hold beliefs that are WAY out of line with what people who actually do this stuff have known for a very long time. Other common misconceptions are that riding on sidewalks or against traffic is safer (hint: the reason these things are illegal is because they are much less safe)
Originally Posted by
johnomi
The situation is really winding me up now and really gets to me every time I see someone with spd's zoom past me with half the effort,
This situation is correctable as clipless will barely affect your speed, if at all. As you get stronger, your speed will improve. Clipless will help enforce proper technique which can help boost speed and reduce injuries.
Since you are 13, learn to ride well and don't wreck your knees. Don't try to build your speed too fast, and you'll enjoy riding for a very long time.