We are all familiar with the theory of the more cyclists there are the safer the streets are. Is it really working out that way?

There are all these new cyclists on the streets. People who have not ridden a bike since childhood but now being forced to commute by bicycle because of the high price of gas. The very same people that drive like they are on crack because they fell that they are entitled to or too busy checking their email. Are they going to do any better as cyclists?
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