Yes, the FTR rule is totally misunderstood by most of the population, cyclists, motorists, and police officers included. I don't know California law, but in NYS a cyclist cannot be cited for impeding if he's proceeding in the right lane at whatever speed he can muster. This is the same rule as for construction equipment, or any other slow moving vehicle. To accuse you of impeding the state would have to show, that you were intentionally holding up traffic.

OTOH, when I'm on narrow 2 lane roads where safe passing is difficult, and a few cars have accumulated behind me, I'll look for a decent stretch where I can move farther right and allow them all to pass. This is partly courtesy, and partly survival because if a long line forms someone will get impatient and pass, possibly in a poorly chosen place.