I just got my first road bike last month, and ended up going with the "stuck to your bike" pedals. They are awesome for powering your way across terrain, especially up hills. You can literally pull the pedal up with you AND push it down, which means you're using so much more of your energy, rather than wasting it.

However, for stopping at stoplights/crosswalks, they are more challenging If you have to do this a lot, it might impede your fun factor. They really aren't difficult to get out of, but getting into them quickly takes a little time. I'm having trouble with the "when I push off, am I going to be in or not?" factor before I push down and click myself totally in, and I think I just need more time with them to know I'm lined up.

There are two big roadblocks I've had. First, get over the fear, you WILL fall. One foot in, one foot out, bike comes to a stop, loose foot not on ground... uhoh, I'm falling. It's comical when it happens, learn to laugh at it (and learn to nurse scraped elbows, just like when you were a kid!). Secondly, stop on your heels, not your toes. It sounds so simple, but it really isn't your instinct to stop on your heels. If you do stop on your toes, see roadblock #1

My husband has the toe clips on his bike instead of the clippy grippy pedals, and it seems easier but not as efficient. I make him go ahead and press the crosswalk buttons or scout out the intersection crossings. My dad ended up with mountain bike style pedals and shoes for his road bike, which were just a little more convenient but still offered almost all of the security and functionality.