one thing that helped me was the multi-release cleats that I had when first starting out. I didn't realize that they were different, becuase i bought them from my LBS as pedals that were taken off of another bike (I think a hybrid) and the cleats were just in a plastic bag taped to the pedals. anyway, in an emergency i coud just pull really hard and they would pop out.

As I got to be a better rider, they got to be a pain in the ass, becuase I would unclip when out of the saddle during hard efforts, so I got the single-release cleats that I have now. however, the multi-release SPD cleats were nice to learn on, sort of like training wheels, until I got more confidence in my clip in/clip out ability.

Ah, then what I meant to say was: If you're right footed and your right foot stays clipped, then your right foot (read: stronger) gets you started again.

And yeah, no grease.

;-)

What I did
 

I just got new clip in shoes also. What I did was practice leaning up against the couch first to practice cliping in and out. I then took it to a parking lot and practiced there till I got a bit more comfortable. I also have the settings set to be able to get out really easy. I have fallen once when I was stopped and getting ready to go in a door. I hope this helps you.

takes only two days to get used to clipless. My friend and I went clipless on the same day. First day I nearly fell once (after leaning on the wrong side after stopping, but I swung my foot around my bike and recovered) and on the second day once because I got too used to the pedals and forgot the existed (fell the same way as the first but forgot to react.) After that it was smooth riding.
BY THE WAYYY
make sureeee your cleats are in securely with your shoe. It helps with unclipping.

I've got SPDs. I set the pedal clip tension as low as it would go. With that pedal, it then will be possible for you to just rip your foot out if you panic. I rode a bit on the trainer, but otherwise didn't practice. But I did have to rip my foot out a couple of times. After you are confident that the unclipping motion is completely natural, you can tighten the spring to where you can't rip out of them when you sprint.

I don't know about other pedals.

I rode clipless for a couple years before falling over for the first time, I just got lazy at an intersection, stopped behind my wife, forgot to un-clip, and proceeded to roll over still clipped in. I couldn't help but laugh, plenty of people in their cars were lauging too, so I took a bow. and got a couple honks and thumbs up. good times.

I got mine during the winter, so my bike was already mounted on the trainer. It was much easier to transition to the real world after practicing on the trainer.

Just don't forget you're clipped in! I've almost forgotten a couple of times.

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everybody who made a post on this forum. I recently got road shoes. I did a combination of all the things suggested on this thread. First i took my bike to the park near my apartment and road around in circles on my bike on the grass and practices falling over and also clipping in. After i was confident i had the hang of it i transitioned to the sidewalk and every time i would come close to a bench in the park i would pretend it was a stop sign and stop so i could practice clipping in and out. Eventually i fell on the grass and the chain on my gears fell off so i was kinda stranded but i fixed it and was back to practicing. Then i walked back to my apartment and grabbed a backpack and the regular shoes i was wearing when i would go bicycling, i switched completely into my old shoes for my ride Down University avenue here in Berkeley until i reached the Exclusive San francisco Bay trail at buchanan street in Albany then i switched my shoes again completely back to my cycling shoes and clicked in did most of my usual trip then on the way back when i had made my loop and got back to buchanan i switched my shoes but i only switched my left shoe back to a regular shoe but kept my other cycling shoe on my right foot on then i road all the way back up university avenue and once i got onto shattuck in downtown Berkeley past dwight way i switched completely back to my cycling shoes and went back home going through the stop signs on the bicycle boulevard. I think in a few more days ill be fully acclimated with the shoes and able to make my massive 54 mile bike ride from Berkeley to Union city and back. of the times I've fallen usually im able to catch myself typically only damaging the plastic cleats. its amazing how fragile these shoes are you cant walk in them practically at all even a little bit so i guess that means i need to stay out of the east bay hills or bring a change of shoes in a backpack like i did tonight. Though i feel a bit silly switching my shoes in the middle of a bike ride on the side of the road im glad i have the option to. I think for me i just need to shift my way of thinking and make sure i clip out whenever i think i might need to but i know im going to run into an idiot motorist who causes me to fall because they cant fallow simple california traffic laws. So anyways thats what i did this is basically my second day having the Comp road shoes and Look classic pedals so im feeling a lot more confident than i did 4 hours ago and am looking forward to practicing more with these pedals this is basically my holy grail being able to use these shoes will mean to me that im no longer a novice bicyclist. Also it helped me not to think about the fact that i could fall and get hurt really bad, if you think negatively and think you will fall you will, dont let the anxiety get to you just trust that you will be able to successfully clip in and out like a fluidic machine! =]

Set the clips to be as loose as possible and if you're going with Shimano SPD pedals go for the multi-release cleats. They are the ones that let you release by twisting in all sorts of ways, rather than the one single way required by the single release cleats.

If you can find a way of supporting yourself on the bike practise pedalling backwards so you can be stationary and under some form of control while you practise clipping in and out. As you get used to riding with them you can tighten the clips as you see fit.

When I bought mine the guy at the bike shop had a large box I could lean on to practise. Then he said to lean on his shoulders so I could adopt a more upright position (rather than leaning to one side). Unfortunately he's about half my size, so it wasn't entirely surprising to find he couldn't keep me steady. Still, that gave me my first practise at unclipping in a hurry...

This is the best tip so far. Get the bike started with just one foot (or none) clipped in. Then once the bicycle is going, snap in and go. Don't lean against door frames, fences or hold onto anything. A bike is most stable when it is moving. So move it first then put those cleats in.

Ride somewhere soft or practice on the trainer for a few minutes.
As far as falling. I think I fell 2-3 times since I started riding clipless 3 years ago. It happens.

it's not about practice or learning. The time I fell was when I got used to doing it and then didn't pay attention.

People always say "you'll fall a bunch of times." I have yet to fall. I've had a couple of close calls, but always manage to unclip. Practice, practice practice, and when you think you have it, practice some more!

I practiced just around my apartment complex, but there were still times I fell on the street. It didn't hurt anything but my pride.

Here is an excellent video for all newcomers to clipless pedals.

I alternate feet to equalize cleat wear on my Speedplays. Also, always unclipping one side can lead to the inability to respond to unexpected circumstances. For example, a panic stop where you weight is falling to the other side. Or if you come to a stop on the downhill side of a sloped surface and (using) your right foot would cause you to fall over. Been there, done that and decided to start alternating sides. I think it's fine to do it when your just starting out, but I would start alternating sides as soon as you get comfortable.

Just go for it! That's how I learned. No need to work your way up to it.

Probably don't learn to ride clip less on single track like I did though.... I had a couple of close calls unclipping on accident.

possible noob questions.. why are they called clipless when they are clips?

edit: nvm.. at 5:55 in that video above it explained it.

Lost of good information here. Read all of it and take from it what you think will help you overcome the fear of falling down. I also started with clipless pedals at an older age (64) and was concerned about falls since hip fractures come more easily with age. It bothered me to the point that I fell more times than I wanted to and almost decided to give up all together, but I was too stubborn for that. I concentrated so much on when to unclip that I didn't concentrate on other things when riding and almost crashed several times for reasons other than unclipping. What I did to overcome my problem may or may not work for you, so take it with the same consideration as the advice from other posters. I used platform pedals to make the engaging and disengaging motions until I felt comfortable to change them over to my clipless pedals. When I got to where I could simulate a disengage without thinking about it, I changed the pedals and have not looked back. Except for emergency situations, which you just can't practice for, you'll be fine after a few tries using clipless pedals, regardless of how you go about learning.

Good luck and enjoy your rides.

Hopefully he has practiced for the last 9 years and has it down by now.

agreed.

When my wife was learning I had her start with one regular shoe and one cycling shoe. It wasn't necessary of course but it gave her a sense of confidence and she was using both cycling shoes the next day.

lol - yes this was a necro thread but I'm glad someone revived it. It was just yesterday when I started thinking about going clipless over my current platform. This thread has been a good read.

Be kinda cool if OP showed up and responded. His last post was over two years ago.

I have never fallen on my road bike because of the clipless pedals. I have fallen on my mtb because of the clipless pedal.

This is a great thread for beginners like me. After falling for a few times, I realize that it is all physiological. U could ride on even u have not clipped in. The only thing to remember is not to forget clipping out when stopping. The other thing when starting to use I'd to wear arm and knee paddings like those used for roller skates or even mountain bike, u won't hurt yourself even if you fall when practicing.