A manipulation device is for wheelchair footrests that have a pair of shafts (8) extending forwards from opposite forward sides of the main frame (2) and a pair of foot plates (9) pivoted at lateral portions to the shafts. This device has manual levers (21) at the forward sides and actuating means (40) that connects the levers (21) to foot plates (9) and consists of a resilient tube (41), a metal wire (42) and a setting retainer (43) for securing the tube to the wire. The tube (41) can elongate in response to an extraordinary tension exceeding a normal stress imparted to said tube, and the wire (42) loosely inserted in the tube (41) can alter an exposed length. An end of each wire (42) is connected to the foot plate (9) at its rear portion located near the shaft (8) pivoting the foot plate. An end of each tube (41) is connected to the manual lever (21) operating to pull up the tube (41) with the wire (42) such that the foot plate (9) rotates and rises to the upright idle position.