Embodiments relate to a pedal system having a cuff for retaining a foot or footwear at the pedal in a manner that supports different sizes and form factors of feet or footwear. The pedal system has a rod secured to a pedal in a rotatable manner and the cuff is coupled to the rod. A lever may be coupled to the rod in a manner where engagement of the lever by the user's foot or footwear affects the rod and thus, a position of the cuff relative to the user's foot or footwear. The lever and the cuff may retain the user's foot or footwear at the pedal in an engaged mode and release the user's foot or footwear from the top surface in a disengaged mode. The pedal system is switchable between the engaged mode and the disengaged mode.