Motorcyclists and scooter riders can now find free parking spaces in downtown Halifax.

The Halifax Regional Municipality has designated spaces for these vehicles on Argyle and Grafton streets, and Spring Garden Road.

Ken Reashor, manager of the municipality's traffic authority, said three motorcycles or scooters should be able to fit in each spot, depending on how riders park.

They are supposed to stay for no more than 90 minutes.

"They are limited time because we don't support all-day parking on the street," Reashor told CBC News on Thursday.

Reashor said the free spots are all in places where parking was previously restricted. No parking meters were removed.

Motorcyclists used to park for free behind the Halifax Law Courts next to the ferry terminal. But last summer, the company that manages the parking garage there deemed the area permit-parking only.

Coun. Sue Uteck has been leading the charge to find new free spaces.

In February, she arrived at city hall with a 1,350-name petition from a group called Halifax Rewards Motorcyclists, which argued that motorcycles and scooters are more eco-friendly and cause less traffic congestion than cars.

The pilot project will run this summer. Municipal officials say they will consider extending it depending on the response from riders.