it's kind of funny, but the first time i used clipless i was in and out with no trouble. They were MTB pedals and two sided, which is a good way to start. They were pretty easy to get in and out of. However, when i got LOOK pedals for my road bike and put the Ritcheys on my cross bike, it was a whole differnt story. The first trip out with the LOOKs and I fell over at a stop light. It happened once since then. It's no big deal- it happens to everyone. The only bad thing is if you crash and your foot doesn't come out, you can really twist your ankle.

The last time I fell because I could not get my left foot out in time (the MTB skidded on some loose sand and gravel on an asphalt road), I landed on and subsequently fractured my left hip. I used to be a paramedic, and I immediately diagnosed myself when I tried to get up and my left leg collapsed beneath me. The orthopedic surgeon said that if my butt was fatter; i.e.: more padding over the femoral head, it probably would not have broken.

That was nine years ago, and to this day, I still have three stainless steel pins in my hip. Since the novelty of a major orthopedic injury wore off quite quickly, I have used only platform pedals since then. Note that I ride only for recreational and fitness purposes, so giving up the efficiency of clipless was not a big deal.

I just started with cliplesss and discovered a technique flaw very quickly. I was having difficulty until I realized that I was lifting my heal as I was rotating and getting out was a problem. I concentrated on keeping my foot parallel to the ground as I rotated and it became much easier. Good luck.