Abstract: Quick connect and disconnect appartus for securing the foot of an operator to the pedal of a bicycle or like apparatus comprises interacting cooperative connector plates mounted on the pedal and the shoe of the operator respectively. The connector plates comprise interengaging, quadrilateral shaped members which interengage with each other along their mutually respective longer sides. The longer sides of the respective connector plates converge toward each other whereby firm engagement is achieved along the entire length of mutually opposite side edges of the respective connector plates, and the connector plates can further be quickly disconnected with a very short lateral movement which is less than one-half the length of the engageable side edges of the connector plates. Further, a novel pedal is adapted to self-orient itself into a position in which the connector plate on the pedal is always accessible to the matching connector plate on the shoe of the operator.