Racer or Hybrid Bike for Lower Back Pain

Hi All,

I am looking to get a new bike on the cycle to work scheme for my GF, She will have about 22Km to cycle each way to work every day that is reasonably flat, a few hills either way but nothing major,

Now she has a very bad back with discs bulging in her lower back, She is working hard doing Pilates etc to strenghten it but she has to be very careful of it,

Due to the distance she has to cycle would people recommend a Racer style bike or is that likely to hurt her back and make it even worse?

Would a Hybrid type bike with straight bars be a better job as it would be less of a hunched over positon which may be better??

After that anyone have good recommendations of bikes in Ireland for about the 800 euro mark to get on the cycle to work scheme???

Thanks,