When I bought my bike I initially had toe clips, thinking I'd use them until I got used the bike and then upgrade to clipless. I had more accidents/near accidents in those than I had ever had in my clipless. I found that I would struggle to get the pedal to stay upgright to put my foot in the clip, and eventually took off the straps, rendering them useless. Personally I feel much less claustrophobic in the clipless. It is up to personal preference, but it doesn't take long to adjust to them SPDs once you start using them. I hear people really like the multi release pedals, so if you're afraid you'll have trouble twisting out, or remembering to twist as least you're able to pull out in any direction in an emergency.