Yes, use what pedals you like. Also, as said above, retention is usually adjustable. Worn cleats will sometimes make it harder to unclip. We all fall over sometimes. My best was crossing a busy intersection on green to turn left. At the curb I tried to unclip and my heel hit the curb. I fell over onto the sidewalk with my bike pointing straight up. My worst injury was with flat pedals. My foot slipped off the back and I gouged the **** out of my shin.