Is this correct from singlefile.org?

[Diver300]

https://singlefile.org/ has a link to a petition for a legal requirement for cyclists to ride in single file.

https://www.change.org/p/compulsory-single-file-for-cyclists

They say:-

Indeed,  one only needs to look at the 30% drop in annual cycling fatalities which has occurred in Italy since Compulsory Single File was introduced there in 2014.

Is that correct? If it is, it is implying that more than 30% of cycling fatalities were due to riding two or more abreast, which seems unlikely in the extreme?

Is there some other effect in play? Is it a twisting of statistics?

[Canardly]

Best thing I could find.
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/routes/overseas/can-cyclist-legally-not-europe-411273

Riding two abreast - Italy
The Codice Stradale (Highway Code) says: "1. Cyclists must ride in single file whenever traffic conditions require them to do so, and never more than two abreast. When riding outside centres of population, they must always ride in single file except when one of the riders is less than 10 years old and is riding on the right of the other."

[JonBuoy]

If it was correct I think that you would expect to see a fairly noticeable step change in fatalities from the introduction of the new law.

The Italian data for the number of bicycle fatalities for the European Union countries from 2007 up to 2016 gives:

2007  352
2008  288
2009  295
2010  265
2011  282
2012  292
2013  251
2014  273
2015  251
2016  275

From https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/sites/default/files/pdf/statistics/dacota/bfs20xx_cyclists.pdf

[Jaded]

It is a petition for Australia. They are weird about cycling there already.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

The Italians may make all sorts of rules but that doesn’t mean that they follow them. Aussies are likely to rigidly enforce that sort of rule if it was introduced, as would Brits.

[rogerzilla]

Single file just gives drivers an impossibly long line to overtake* rather than something the same size as a tractor.

*of course, drivers want you to single out so they can squeeze between you and oncoming traffic, giving you no room at all

[Kim]

Sure, let's require cyclists to ride in single file, but at a minimum of 1.5 metres from the kerb.   

[Lightning Phil]

If we petition that all motorists must be single file that’ll free up lots of lanes for cycling including the current motorways, dual carriageways, and anywhere else they are allowed to drive two or three or four abreast.

[Canardly]

You can see here how it works in practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3TZ_9He4Pc

[Pingu]

If we petition that all motorists must be single file that’ll free up lots of lanes for cycling including the current motorways, dual carriageways, and anywhere else they are allowed to drive two or three or four abreast.

My thoughts better articulated 

[JonBuoy]

On Thursday evening a motorist was kind enough to pull alongside me and my riding partner and helpfully explain to us that it was illegal to ride two abreast even though there was loads of room for him to overtake.  I pointed out that he and his front seat passenger were two abreast.  He said something rude and shot off up the road 

[Mr Larrington]