You do realize that two abreast is quite legal.

Also, in what way is a car ever "forced" to pass too closely? If a person driving a car follows the law, they will wait until they have clear view of the road, and do not have double yellow lines, and have no oncoming cars before they pass. Any car trying to pass under any other circumstances is breaking the law and should be ticketed as such. There is no excuse for crossing double yellow lines to pass a cyclist.
It's the impatience of the driver that "forces" them to break the law and pass too closely, not the riders riding two abreast.

I have no problem with a driver crossing the double yellow line to pass me if its safe. Those passing zones are determined based on car speeds. Even if I'm doing 20 a car doesn't need a lot of space to pass me safely and easily leaving everyone happy.

Heck, I don't mind if they ease by in the lane.

I like this quote:
“Drivers, especially those in SUVs, do not know the width of their vehicle and over compensate when passing a cyclist. This is evident when they do pass and go clear over to the other side of the road. While I appreciate the extra room, I don’t want anyone to put themselves or others in danger. I have had eighteen-wheeler trucks pass without crossing the center line and give me more room than some compact cars. The difference is these are professional drivers.” Dave Moulton

I have done exactly the same thing. I have met with success and with near shorts loading fright. I wonder how often the motorist behind us can actually comprehend that we are trying to head off a dangerous situation with such tactics. I will continue to use this method, but without some of the driver side education, I wonder if it makes us safer or not...

Cyclist's are the lightweights and car drivers are the heavyweights. I feel that there are many ways to handle the co existence of the road by cars and cyclists. The way I personally prefer is to ride as far to the right as I feel is safe. The wight line is usually ok but to the right of the line can get pretty dirty and can get more flats. Just to the left of the wight line (up to where the passenger side car tires go)it is usually clean. So I will normally take up to 1/3 of the lane. I will give hand signals to the car driver((if it appears to be a dangerous situation approaching) but I am not convinced it helps and ultimately it is up to the driver to make that call anyway. I just hope he/she can see what I see. We as cyclist need to make the first step to be curtious and safty minded. Why? Because the car will always win. We need to ride smart. Cars and cyclist both have rights and sometime those rights seem to be in conflict. We as cyclists want to be right - just not dead right.