^^billew

-I use clips and straps because I ride quickly and I find them useful. I keep them loose enough where they aren't really a safety problem. The only times I have really fallen with them is when they were too tight, and I know what is too tight and what isn't. The times I have fallen have been on my fixed gear bike where it is a little more complicated. I commute on a geared cyclocross/touring style bike.

-I use the drop bars because my commute is 15-18 miles long each way. I appreciate having the hand positions and added aerodynamics provided when I am down in the drops. I don't think I'd want to switch to wide riser/flat bars for this commute. I am in the drops 90% of the time, and I feel stable holding there.

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Thanks for the advice and kind thoughts everyone.