SPD all the way with multi-release clips for quick 'escapes'

I am a big fan of the clipless but my commute is 17.6 miles each way. I do everything clipless as I have tossed any other option when I changed the peddles out. They have put me on my butt more than once

Same here. They came with the bike and I fully expected to change them for SPDs. I like the way they work with any soft-soled shoe, from hiking boots in winter to Keen sandals on hot days.

Me three. After a few months of hills wrecked the plastic pedals that came on my bike, I decided on a set of Kona Jack**** platforms and haven't thought about getting SPDs since. If I did longer rides on a regular basis I might go clipless, but for city riding these are great.

Another vote for Shimano A530. I wasn't sure how I was going to like having SPD on one side and platform on the other. After about a month, I'm liking these pedals. The cleats are really easy to clip in, and I can ride on the platform side if I want to. I bought a pair of Pearl Izumi shoes to go with these that are really comfortable to walk in.

I like riding MKS Sylvan Touring pedals with Power Grips straps. Most comfortable pedal/strap combo I have ever tried. I have yet to find a clipless shoe that would be comfortable on my feet, and would thus avoid clipless pedals until I do.

I've got a pair much like your big a$$ pedals that I bought from Mike's Bikes here in Sac. They cost me $15 and work great.

The BMX platforms are easy to get your foot on, and keep your foot there once on. The top pair of touring pedals are OK, but the Big-butt BMX plats will be easier on your feet and shoes. Either one will work, generally, and they're a hell of a lot cheaper than quality clipless pedals and shoes and it's unlikely you'll forget how to take your feet off them in an emergency and fall over into an open sewer grate and be eaten by rats, which is a common issue with clipless pedal systems.