I like the NOL. (Actually, HH, didn't you just tell me that a 9 foot lane would be a very narrow lane?)
I'm used to VNOLs. Unless motor traffic is very heavy, drivers usually find it easy to get around you. You soon learn not to worry too much about overtaking cars, just take your lane in the center and ride.
I'm dubious about one thing. I'm not sure that a 9-9-9 road would likely have a speed limit of 45 or more. Usually such a narrow road would be driven at 35 to 40 mph, wouldn't it?