I cut my cycling teeth so to say using old fashioned toe clips, straps and cleat ed shoes. Now ride with road clip-less, and they are much nicer. You only need to practice a bit before it becomes second nature to unfasten yourself easily and quickly. I think the main thing to remember is to unclip before you need to, like coasting down for a stop. Don't come up to a stop and slam on the breaks then think about unclipping. BTW I used to tour a lot in SE and South Central MO, it was a great cycling place in the 70's, except for the local police who seemed to think cyclists were somehow related to Hells Angels.