I agree with the sentiment that someone doing 2 or 3 miles commuting doesn't need toeclips, cleats, or whatever. Not that it really hurts. Perhaps they do longer rides other times.

I am glad to see renewed interest in toeclips. They had virtually died out a decade ago as racers had shunned them, and commuters hadn't adopted them yet.

5 miles? That is pretty marginal. Not long, not short, but a moderate ride. The benefit would depend on the ride. If it is non-stop for 5 miles, then one might still choose foot retention. If one is starting and stopping every block for 5 miles, then the first thing might be to choose a better route, but one might not find the foot retention necessary.

Again, it might depend on the route. One of the roads I periodically hit has about 8 stoplights in 10 blocks. It is tolerable only if I can hit the section of road between 20 and 25 MPH, and hold my own with traffic. And for that, I feel the clips help.