I've seen a lot of creative "bike path" creation using this method. Especially bad where much of the road has double yellow lines indicating limited sight distance. This has to be the most ignorant thing I've seen done by a road commission. Whoever signed off on the order to have this done on some roads is absolutely clueless regarding biker safety. I doubt seriously they would ride the trail in person. In fact, I question if they even own a bike. Maybe they should ask themselves if they would allow their kids to ride this new path? Actually, I have to wonder if something political is involved? Hey, look at me. I've just created a bike path!
Regarding the topic, I'm not required to commute any more, and generally avoid routes that force me to ride in that situation at all costs. A good friend of mine, in his early 70's (but very active!), was riding in a lane like this, and a pickup truck wandered a little too close for whatever reason, resulting in the truck's mirror clipping the friends bike mirror, sending him for quite a tumble. Nothing too serious, a concussion, 3 broken ribs, and a bunch of really colorful bruises. The bigger thing is he lost 3 months of his life screwing around recovering (he's still pretty sore), and the guy that hit him didn't even get a ticket (oops!).
My point is I don't ride on roads where there is a painted line going down the center, bike lane or not, unless there's a curb or something between me and the traffic.