Yeah, I just used the plastic handle on my largest screwdriver to set these in with a few taps. Would not set in by hand.

As I stated above, these sit almost flush with the depth of the notch so removal should just require diving a sharp pointed object into that seam between the pedal and nickel in the notch.

Someone also suggested in another thread - if these seize up, drill a hole in the middle of the nickel and use something inserted into the hole to pry it out.