Pedal problems on my first fixed wheel bike

when the bike is upright, the top of the pedal axles (actually called a "spindle") **rotate towards the back **of the bike to come off. just think "back up, to get out"

Think about it logically - The threading is designed so that when pedaling, the axle won't unscrew from the crank. You should be able to work out which way they unscrew.

Ok I'll spell it out anyway:
Right hand side - Anti-Clockwise
Left hand side - Clockwise

err... you're both right.

turning the spindle on the right-hand side anti-clockwise turns it towards the back of the bike!