I'm with those that recommend platform pedals -> clipless.

If this is your first road bike, you will have lots of things to get used to, probably new shifters, a new position, etc., and it will be easy to forget that you have to unclip. Why add another variable into the mix?

While I learned some things about riding clipless with cages (I used them before clipless was common) I don't see them as a step along the path, exactly.

The cages have a learning curve too, and I at least have fallen more with them than with clipless.

Anne