Short answer: usually a little cleaner, but not because of the pedal alone. A foot-pedal bin keeps people from touching the lid with their hands, and a closed lid helps keep rain out, smells down, flies and rats away, and litter from blowing around. In busy city streets, that can make a real difference—especially near food stalls, bus stops and parks. The bin looks tidier, and the area around it often stays tidier too, because wind and animals cannot easily pull waste out.
But “cleaner” is not automatic. I have seen pedal bins that were worse than open ones: the pedal was broken, the lid was propped open, the bag was torn, or the bin was overflowing because collection was too infrequent. A closed bin that is not emptied can become a smelly, messy box. An open bin that is emptied often and cleaned can sometimes be more hygienic than a broken pedal bin.
So the real answer depends on design and management. A good pedal bin needs a sturdy pedal, a lid that closes properly, a liner system that does not leak, a shape that is easy to clean, and a collection schedule that matches use. It also needs clear signage and a nearby place for people to put litter properly. If the bin is in a windy, rainy city, the closed lid is a big plus. If it is in a hot area with heavy use, emptying and washing matter more than the pedal itself.
Would I choose pedal bins for an urban street? Yes, as a default—they reduce hand contact and contain waste better than open bins. But I would not call them cleaner unless they are maintained. The pedal is a useful feature, not a magic solution. Cleaner streets come from the whole system: good bin design, frequent emptying, quick repairs, and people who actually use the bin.