Nothing to do with feet in the wheel: I was able to turn the bike wherever my feet happened to be in the pedal rotation, until I got fenders. Honestly, I prefer cornering with the crank arms at 3 and 9 o'clock than 6 and 12, because in a series of hair-pins, you don't have to keep changing. It's a habit I got into. And fenders get in the way.

Anyway, a rear rack does most of the job of a rear fender. I'd rather have a clip on front fender than a normal one. And I find it's better to ride in water -proof or -tolerable pants ( merino or goretex, for example ) than with fenders.