Abstract: A safety barrier for a vehicle mounted lift for wheelchairs is normally in an upright blocking position even when the lift platform is at a ground level. The barrier includes upper and lower panels which are hinged together and coupled with a pair of lever arms. A tubular slide coupled with each lever arm cooperates with a rigid link to bias the forward ends of the arms to elevated positions to maintain the barrier in an upright position. When the lever arms are manually lowered, the barrier upper and lower panels fold upon themselves to provide a ramp over which a wheelchair may be rolled for loading onto the lift platform. The arms are supported by the links in cantilevered positions and are connected to the panels for absorbing by deflection of the arms the energy from impacts from the wheelchair against the barrier.