The more things change, the more they stay the same.... Take for instance these to cyclists, it would seem that even back then they thought their 20lbs of spindly frame could contend with 2 tons of Detroit steel with an oblivious driver coming at them
In most states a bicycle is considered to be a motor vehicle and it is legal to ride two side by side. Now, I am not saying riding two by two on a road like this is the best thing to do, but it not illegal in most places.