I've ridden around Europe, and I have to say, bike lanes that are more then painted lines make a huge, positive difference. They are safer and easier to use. Moreover, we have very ugly streets generally. Would a few non-ficus trees hurt the city much? Or, how about bus shelters that are't made of plastic? New York, Toronto, West Hollywood, all cities with actually nice bus shelters. Wider sidewalks would be nice, too. Our sidewalks must be the narrowest of any major city in the world.