Need help choosing a hybrid bike

[annedonnelly]

I liked the way it rode but because I could only just reach the ground with my tippy toes I felt unsafe when riding it. I bought it to cycle to and
from uni in heavy traffic and the fact that I had to lean the bike to the side everytime I had to stop so as to get my foot flat on the ground made me sweat, I felt like I was going to fall into oncoming vehicles.

That may have been the right size You're not supposed to have your feet flat on the floor when you're on the saddle. The saddle height is determined by the length of your leg when it's on the pedal - not how far away the ground is

I have to tilt to the side to put my foot down as you described. Others slide forward and off the saddle when they need to.

 

[raleighnut]

As a rough guide when wearing flats/trainers your leg should be straight with your heel on the pedal and you are sitting squarely on the saddle (not 'rocking' your hips) when the pedal is at the bottom of its stroke. Too low a saddle height will give you knee problems.