You don't say where you are located. Is it a flat area? What distances are you looking at? There are lots of options out there.
If you can find them old, Raleighs (or clones) can usually be had relatively inexpensively, are easy to work on and extremely durable.
Torker Bikes makes several bikes that are suitable and fairly inexpensive. Look specifically at the T-530 and T300. I have a Redline R530 (no longer made) that is almost identical to the T-530. Base price is around $600, accessories extra...
There are many other brands out there that would be suitable too.
Aaron
