I use this pair of SPD pedals on my road bike, which also has the platform on one side:


I first rode on these pedals with regular sneakers and learned how to get on the platform side. When I was confident enough, I started to try cycling shoes.
Just need to practice what to do when you don't want to clip in.


If I put my unclipped shoe on the wrong side (depending on the situation, either not to clip or to clip), I just continue to pedal slowly meanwhile maneuver to get my unclipped shoe on the right side.

I only have one emergency so far. But that's because I didn't know what the car in front of me would do -- ahead or back (he actually wanted to make a u-turn). I was very close to the back of the car and then I realized that he didn't continue to drive (nor he put up some signal). I was lucky to get off my left foot quick enough or I would fell. This is a lesson I learned: If not sure, unclip one foot first.