Originally Posted by
Spaghetti Legs
Those are kick tabs. They go on the rear facing plate of the pedal so you can nudge it into position to get your foot into the clip.
I would be more specific, they affix at the toe clip center, facing aft on a Campagnolo pedal or dimensional clone.
The purpose is to prevent the show toe from hanging up in the gap between the central pedal body and the forward pedal cage upon engaging. Concurrently Campagnolo brought out their own toe clips with a similar tab as part of the clip, a good idea late to the party as clipless from Look swept the market.
Reason, I have seen folk affix them to the back of the pedal, they don't last long there.