If it's a nicely paved shoulder I'd ride it. As for the RTOL, I'd work that the way I'd ride the beginning of a highway entry ramp or fork. Time a merge into the traffic and cross to the left side of the lane riding the dividing line between the RTOL and through lanes, so traffic could pass appropriately without crossing my path.
Most of riding on busy roads isn't about laws or rights, but doing what works best. No matter what you do, there will always be times that traffic has to cross your line to turn. The well paved shoulder has you out of the main flow until that happens, whereas sticking to the road, has you in traffic full time.
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