Behavioral intentions within off-highway vehicle communities in the northeastern U.S.: an application of the theory of planned behavior

The increasing use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) in the northeastern United States suggests the need for more effective recreation management strategies in public forest areas. This study employed the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (Ajzen �99�) to examine the attitudes and perceptions of OHV operators. Hypotheses were tested regarding differences in attitudes toward intentions to engage in a behavior (i.e., the creation and use of unauthorized trails). The relationship between attitudes and behavioral intentions was tested. The study attempted to identify the most effective management mechanism for communicating with OHV riders and to clarify views concerning depreciative behaviors within the riding community. It found weak but positive preferences for specific direct and indirect management actions with an overall preference for behavior-specific indirect management. The study supports previous findings about the relationship between attitudes and intentions within the TPB.