Pedals... are flats ok?

Try SPD's, they are incomparable in control to clips/straps. I've got double straps and four-gate clips and they're only about 50% as tight as SPDs. They're fucking awesome.

IMHO, riding without foot retention is either stupid or pointless to be riding fixed.

• 1,000,000
  
  

Just ride SS if you don't want to be strapped in - probably the most unsafe form of bicycle to take on the road is a fixed without foot retention

And if you cant deal with getting in and out of the straps, just get double sided SPD's - easy as can be, i use em and never bother track standing as its more hassle than just uncliping