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Petitioners say access to the public road is often blocked by a locked gate. The sign on the gate states the land beyond is private land owned by the Hunt and Ramsey families.
Endean Rd is off Paradise Valley Rd near Paradise Valley Springs.
It is is mainly used as a forestry road and as access for its few rural residents.
Petitioners say the road has been blocked by a forestry company, which has dug huge ditches across it preventing any vehicle access.
Mr Bell told councillors at a meeting of the council's infrastructure services committee yesterday it was the intention of the petitioner to establish mountain biking trails in a circular route from the central city along Great West Rd, South Rd and Endean Rd.
"It has been the long-held position of many property owners that encumbrances, such as gates and cattlestops, on the unformed roadways keep out undesirables and reduce theft and damage."
Mr Bell said landowners were concerned road users were not aware if the part of the trail they were on was public or private.
"But, this is a public road and access cannot be denied.
"I'm sure there is some middle ground to be found using some common sense," he said.
However, the man behind the petition, Mr Jacques van Wyk, said that while he would go along with the public submission and hearing process he did not think it was necessary.
"The law is pretty clear about what you can and cannot do on a public road. It's a waste of time and money."
In the case of Endean Rd, Mr van Wyk said the council would not have to take public submissions if someone turned up and dug a large hole on Fenton St. "It's the same situation here. All I am asking the council to do is enforce the law and give us legal access."
The Rotorua Daily Post was unable to contact the landowners for comment about road access.
