Hybrids are a great way to go for casual recreational biking, and biking in general is a great way to get yourself in shape.

What's your price range?

(And it's a shame you threw out that other bike. It's a relatively simple mechanical device, and I'm sure that whatever was wrong with it could have been fixed with less fuss than getting a new bike. Also, next time you blow a tire, walking the bike is a lot easier than carrying it.)