A foot clamping and locking mechanism with an auto-release for releasably securing a user's foot to a pedal may include a pedal comprising a pedal base having a top plate; an arm extending from the pedal; a cuff attached to the arm, the cuff sized to wrap over top of a user's foot; and a trigger extending upward from the top plate, the trigger operatively attached to the arm such that, when the user steps on the trigger, the arm causes the cuff to lock down onto the user's foot.