Pedals/Cleats - is this a dumb idea

Yep.

Put them both on - you'll be fine.

The hard part is clipping out and it's honestly not that hard. Just go all in...it's not that big of a deal. If you are REALLY worried, practice your first couple times on grass in case you fall over.

Honestly, the first time you have issues with them will probably not be practicing with them. It will be coming to a stop at a light or behind a vehicle when you weren't expecting to have to do it. I had a few close calls with this but never toppled over in traffic or anything.

You`ll probably only tip over 3 times

I found thats what most people do before they get it, was for me. 

x2 I never had problems the first few times I was riding. Then one day I had to stop suddenly for a car that was coming out of a parking lot and didn't see me. I hit the brakes hard and didn't think I'd have time to unclip but I did. Exciting, but fine. Practice riding in low trafficked areas, and stop and unclip lots. It'll be second nature before you know it!

make sure you lower the spring tension on your pedals to the lowest setting prior to attempting.

Got it...dumb idea.  They will both go on before my ride tomorrow.

THANKS

Beat the curve. I only fell twice however have a scar from my less elegant fall. Another reason why I'm happy I had a "cheaper" used bike before buying new

If you have a indoor bike trainer, then you could practice clipping in and out on there.  Get the feel for clipping in without looking down.  Also get a feel for unclipping quickly in case of emergency situations.

I don't see any benefit to using one of each pedal.  It's already easy to clip in or unclip when one foot is on the ground.

One time I was heading home, and I live on a hill, and I was fairly new to cycling. I had done a tough ride, and of course, had to face that dang hill going home. Well, I really tired myself out and I thought I'd change gears to my easiest, easiest gear. Well, my bike was under a lot of tension so it wasn't going to shift smoothly, and I lost any speed I had, and started to wobble over. It is so, SO hard to unclip at that point. In the slowest, most awkard moment ever, I veered to the right to be as close to my neighbor's lawn as possible, for the fall I thought was the only possible outcome.

But I never fell. The chain felt into place in the easier gear and suddenly my other leg swung down and I was spinning easier. I was practically stopped, so I'm amazed I managed to keep my balance and slooooowly keep going. I'm sure I had a range of expressions, from panting like a dog and dying going up the hill, to OHCRAP, to TAKEMESWEETDEATH to WHOA!I'MALIVE and then back to panting like a dog and spinning like mad.

Those neighbors are always, without fail, working on their lawn, or on their porch sipping iced teas. I'm sure they saw me and thought I was a nutter. I know I looked incredibly clumsy at that moment.

+1, if they're tensioned all the way up...you're gonna be in for a rough time learning.

I've also had a nice fall about a week after I started using cleats. I wish I had a video, because I successfully stopped after being cut off by a dog, but after coming to a complete stop, I started leaning ever so very slightly to the left. I had only practiced clipping out with my right first. I swear that fall took 10 minutes, and I knew I was gonna fall the whole time. 

That said, I still recommend going all in. The faster you get used to being in them the better. I highly recommend alternating which side you clip out first though.