A running board assembly for a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. The running board assembly includes first and second links each having an upper end pivotal relative to the mounting bracket and an opposing lower end. A deck is pivotally coupled to the lower end of the first and second links for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. A motor assembly is coupled to the mounting bracket. And a crank drive is operably connected to the motor assembly for pivoting the first and second links to provide controlled movement of the deck between the stowed and deployed positions.