Originally Posted by Mikefule

That's only one opinion among many. I've ridden thousands of miles on and off road on road and gravel bikes, tandems, occasionally mountain bikes, and unicycles, commuting, touring, camping, club rides, and general leisure riding. For many years, I did regular days over 100 miles. I happily ride without any form of foot retention other than pinned pedals. Never a problem. Each to his own: mine is just one opinion based on several decades of riding. Foot retention is an option with pros and cons.