Originally Posted by
littleyip
...I'm thinking something with 16" wheels and proportionately sized. Ideally I'd like a bike with a Brompton fold or as small as that. If only Brompton made a bike for lighter people... Anybody ever seen anything like that? I read about the Dahon Sweet Pea, but with 14" wheels I'm not sure it would ride well...
The Flamingo Brompton clone is for people up to 80 kg. But that does not mean the bike is lighter. Like others already said, I too think, you wont find a less priced but lighter bike that is so because it is extra for light people since all the bikes seem to have to cover the weight range of all average customer for business reasons and also technical. Weight derives only to a small percentage from the frame. To get the bike light factories would have to go for different and lighter tires, tubes, cables, saddle,...that would mean proprietary parts all over - expensive. Also child bikes are often as heavy as adult bikes. For example a puky meant for a 3 year child with 12" wheels will be about 19 lbs.
Dont hesitate to try small wheels. A lot of that is perception. I like my 18lbs Carryme with single speed and 8" wheels which is as stock too small for me (5'10'' upgraded it with longer seatpost, buttbuddy

and will put a highriser-stem but for you it should fit very well. With Schlumpf Drive = 2 Spd version, I see it very capable to ride 10 miles as long as terrain is flat. That bike folds small, can be handluggage at some airlines and is easy in your budget.
Invisiblehand proposed the S-Model if going for a brommi, I do not agree: In the S-Model you have the bar about 6 cm more forward, a stretched position! The reach is larger on the S-Model (Invisible, which model did you try, which model had too short reach for you?). Better stay with the M-typ-steering-stem and swap the riser bar if too high for any moderate riser on the market. Also swap the seatpost for a model with off-sett to the front to narrow the reach further.