No doubt there is safety in numbers. However, the more numerous the bicycles on the road, the more frustrated driver will be especially when they view cycling as purely recreational. How can cycling clubs be anything but recreational?
Do cycling clubs offer other types of rides? For example, if someone wanted to organize a permanent group commute, he can try, through a cycling club to organize companionship to ride from around his neighbourhood to his place of work or school, morning and evening. Just like car-pooling.
And on weekends, organize the same type of thing to go grocery shopping.