i had toe straps on my first mountain bike, and i liked them...but i'm an experienced biker, with prolly more years riding than you've had living...
if you use the bike for real mountain and trail riding, the straps may not be a good idea for you, since on raw trails there is always the bump or log or gopher hole that needs immediate balance adjustment from the rider's position...but for the street and traffic, they can't be beat...you get more from your leg energy, by pedaling on the up stroke as well as down.
i would like to know where you got that bike, cuz my current one not only doesn't have toe straps, but it doesn't have the upward grips on the handlebars either, which leaves me in one cramping position in riding..my handlebars just go straight across, with no L bar on each end to switch hand position and lessen arm fatigue.