A selectively operable braking device for an elevator system. The braking device includes a safety brake adapted to be wedged against a guide rail when moved from a non-braking state into a braking state. Also included is an engagement mechanism moveable between an engaged position and a non-engaged position, the engagement mechanism comprising bar pinions each having teeth and connected to at least one of the other bar pinions with a meshed engagement of the teeth, the engagement mechanism configured to move the safety brake between the non-braking state and braking state when the engagement mechanism moves between the non-engaged position and the engaged position. Further included is a plurality of magnetic brake pads, each of the brake pads coupled to one of the bar pinions, wherein movement of one of the brake pads into the engaged position causes movement of the other magnetic brake pads into the engaged position.