BobbyG I have one bike with toe clips, my street fixie. I like SPD better but I like to be able to ride the fixie with street shoes if I choose. I've even ridden it with my SPD-cleated shoes, just because. It's not bad. I'm so used to SPD by now that when I am stopping on the bike with toe clips, I habitually twist my feet out. It's fine, and I don't end up with my feet stuck in there. I've never fallen as a result of being in toe clips or cleats. Lately, I commute with street shoes. My main commuter bike has those two-choice pedals: SPD on one side and flat on the other.

That was nice how you helped your coworker and her husband and especially nice how she rode to work!