Originally Posted by
fietsbob
if you feel a need to ride with your feet so firmly to the pedal
you are a customer for clipless shoes and pedals,
or at least 'power-grips' a wider diagonal strap, that being diagonal,
turning the foot loosens the grip on the shoe.
+1
If you don't want to go the clipless route, give "Power Grips" a try. The way you put your foot in allows them to snug up when you straighten your foot to ride. Turning your heel out loosens the strap so you can get your foot out.
I was never a big fan of toe clips and in my opinion most people ride with them too loose to do much good. They could skip the straps altogether. I'm not recommending that people tighten them for obvious reasons, - you need to be able to get your foot out.