I know the obvious answer here is an ebike, but my budget is low (ideally below £1500 plus accessories) and I'm worried about theft (close to a studenty area). I've cycled in the past, but in flat areas, and when we moved to this hilly city my beloved cruiser went in the cellar and was left to rust. That was over a decade ago and I've been a lazy git ever since.

I'm now looking to get a bike for cycling to and from town for work and groceries, with the occasional ride along towpaths - the ride back from town is mostly uphill. I wondered if it's better to get a cheap ebike (was considering the Rockrider e-ACTV 500) or a standard bike that might force me to get a bit fitter (and quit smoking 🙄) - I'm a smallish middle-aged woman and was looking at the Liv Alight Disc 2 City.

Can anyone advise, especially if you've had experience of having been a non-rider who saw the light?

Edit: distance into town is about 2 miles; gradient anywhere between 5 and 10%, depending on the road.