Woman's Bike

Id recommend a Scooter

Not sure what country u from so cant recommend a brand

Schwinn makes a good bike that's not oober expensive- something with narrower tires since you are not off-roading and the more gears the better to make it up hills- check seat for comfort- get front and back lights as well as green/orange combo safety vest so you can be seen....emergency bag with extra tube and hand held/manual air compressor and pepper spray....just to be safe good for you wanting the bike rather than bus!

Look for a road bike or a hybrid bike. You probably want something that will allow you to sit more upright and have straight handle bars. Hybrid bikes have thicker tires like comfort bikes but not as heavy as mountain bikes, they also have gears that you can change for hills and such unlike comfort bikes. Also, think accessories, like fenders for keeping mud and water from splashing on you from the tires, either a front rack or a back rack to hold your bags/gear. Dress for the weather, keep extra clothes on you because night riding can get cold, depending on the climate your in. Also, does it snow where you are? And, lights and reflectors and maybe a reflector vest to go over your coat so people see you. I highly recommend getting a sideview mirror on your bike too, it really helps to see cars coming up behind you.

3 miles?

Get any bike you like riding and fits you well.

I have a Trek Neko S and I am in love with it. It's a hybrid.

My thought is, don't buy an expensive bike in case you don't like the biking idea

Basil

go to your local bike shop, they'll treat you really well. it might cost a little more upfront, but you might be able to negotiate a few free tune ups. and if something goes wrong with the bike, you deal directly with them.

also, you can probably get a few discounts on bike accessories, like pumps and lights. you definitely need lights if you're planning on doing riding at night.

Go to your local bike shop. Get fitted for a nice road bike. Enjoy.

Big question though - Do you need to see at night, or just BE seen?

To be seen, i.e. your way is lit by street lights, etc. you just need some run of the mill head and tail lights.
To see, i.e. your way is in total darkness and you need to light your own way, you need much more expensive headlights.

Then, you might or might not need a women's bike. On a hybrid or mountain bike, women's frames are just weaker versions of men's frames. On road bikes, sometimes they are just tiny versions of men's frames, other times there are real geometry differences. However, if your long torso'd, a women's bike will never fit.

I'd NEVER suggest getting a hybrid. Just the name itself is a compromise. They don't handle as well on the road as a road bike. They aren't as efficient as a road bike. You are locked into one riding position - on a road bike, I can think of 4 different riding positions off the top of my head. They are useless off pavement, unlike a mountain bike. All around, they are a compromise and worse than any other type of bike. And they are heavy, which is a big problem if your spending 3 miles a trip going up hill!

I have to respectfully disagree on some of your points.

I have a Hybrid:

http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/raleigh-2013-womens-detour-25-cross-bike/pr3c10941/product

I've put almost 60 miles on her this month, which doesn't sound like a lot to seasoned cyclists, but this is huge progress from where I started in my recovery from a disabling injury.

I love my Hybrid. I have done off-road with this bike. Grass, gravel, packed dirt...about the only thing that I get stuck on is leafy soft earth, but I think anyone would have trouble with that.

I like it because when I was starting out I was very unsteady and I felt more stable in the upright position, the heavier frame has helped me train in strength, and it was more comfortable on my damaged knees than the road bike.

THAT SAID, as I get stronger, I realize I am going to want a different frame style for every day use. One where the seat is positioned above the handle bars...but I have to wait because I am too heavy for an aluminum frame. I started at 360 and a steel frame was a requirement.

I do agree that getting a woman's bike is a waste. They aren't as strong as men's bikes, they are more difficult to put on a bike rack, and if I had known ANY of this before buying my bike, I definitely would have gotten a men's bike. There are NO advantages that I know of to having a woman's bike.

My recommendation is to go to a bike shop and try out at least 3-4 different styles. You need to know what you are comfortable with before you make a big purchase. What ever you do, don't get a cheap Walmart bike. Any quality bike is money well spent.

Yep, for a 3 mile ride to work, I would get a hybrid of some sort. For that short of a commute, it won't really matter all that much what you get.

A hybrid road bike (Not a trail version), will be more comfortable than a road bike, especially if you are new to cycling. Most people can go 10-15 miles on a hybrid before the hand positions start to become a factor in the upper body pain.

Start here and determine the frame size you need. I don't think at this point it is important for you to get fitted by a professional BECAUSE you eventually wish to move from a steel frame to an aluminum frame.

http://www.ebicycles.com/article/bicycle-frame-size-charts.html#bicycle-size-calculators

Secondly decide what type of bicycle you are looking for. I agree with the other who have suggested a hybrid. Or perhaps you could find an old steel frame 10 speed, my personal preference.

Once you decide what you are looking for start searching Craigslist, EBay, want ads for your area, etc. See if you can find what you are looking for at a much lower cost than purchasing new. Again I am suggesting this due to your future goal. Also it will sting a lot less financially if you decide you do not like cycling.

As far as lighting goes, you need lights. In most states bicycles have to follow the same laws as motorized vehicles. So ignore the other "if your way is lighted" post because it's wrong. You NEED lights, not so much to be able to see, but you NEED to be SEEN!

Actually, a lot of cycling commuters in new York city swear by a single speed bike. They look like road bikes, but just one gear. Easier to maintain, less moving parts. And for a three mile ride, shouldn't be bad.

I've been looking online at different bikes, and have been flabbergasted by the fact that there are $3,000 bikes out there! That's insane to me! I'm thinking of spending $200 max, and was hoping that maybe there would be some good black Friday sales! There's a bike shop right next to the gym I go to, so i think I'll stop by there tomorrow and get started!

Price is why I suggested buying a used bicycle. You will get more quality in used then you will in buying a crap new one for $200. And you NEED bright lights NO MATTER what your path is!

Just an FYI, the following quote is from Nevada Law regarding bicycles.

http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-484.html#NRS484Sec503

NRS 484B.763  Application of traffic laws to person riding bicycle or electric bicycle.  Every person riding a bicycle or an electric bicycle upon a roadway has all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle except as otherwise provided in NRS 484B.767 to 484B.783, inclusive, and except as to those provisions of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS which by their nature can have no application.
(Added to NRS by 1957, 504; A 1997, 1728; 2009, 113, 399)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 484.503)

4.5 miles is nothing, trust me. especially if you have some kind of conditioning from the cycling machines.

Ok. Biker here.

you know how i know you're not a cyclist??? you call yourself a 'biker.'

If anyone wants to know what they are letting themselves in for by calling themselves a "cyclist" this short video should help....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47cGzu6-q40