I'd personally go 7-8 speed, as I gave away my 3 speed bike because the gear range was just too great to comfortably ride too & from work with it. It was great for a 3-4 mile local ride, on mostly flat ground. But once I hit inclines I'd either have too much resistance in 2nd gear, or be peddling and going nowhere in 3rd gear. 1st gear I'd spin out on going downhill,...and I didn't bother to change the chainring because it would make 2nd gear feel like 3rd, and 3rd was no good for most flats.

That schwinn Voyageur IG3 was great looking but a real PITA!!!