Retractable covering device for architectural openings, including: a collapsible covering member; a bottom bar , positioned along a first edge of the collapsible covering member; at least one flexible element in engagement with the bottom bar for raising the bottom bar and collapsing the covering member to define a retracted position of the covering; a primary retraction mechanism for retracting the at least one flexible element from a first end of the at least one flexible element ; and a secondary retraction mechanism operatively connected with the bottom bar ; wherein the primary retraction mechanism includes at least one rotatable primary winding reel to which a first end of the at least one flexible element is attached, the first end of the flexible element being wound or unwound onto, or from the at least one rotatable primary winding reel; wherein the secondary retraction mechanism includes at least one rotatable secondary winding reel ; whereby the primary retraction mechanism is configured to retract the covering member when retracting the at least one flexible element from the first end of the at least one flexible element ; and whereby the primary retraction mechanism is independent of the secondary retraction mechanism ; characterized in that the secondary retraction mechanism is arranged for retracting the at least one flexible element from a second end of the at least one flexible element ; that the second end of the at least one flexible element is attached to the at least one rotatable secondary winding reel ; and that the secondary retraction mechanism is configured to selectively also retract the covering member when retracting the at least one flexible element from the second end of the at least one flexible element . a collapsible covering member; a bottom bar , positioned along a first edge of the collapsible covering member; at least one flexible element in engagement with the bottom bar for raising the bottom bar and collapsing the covering member to define a retracted position of the covering; a primary retraction mechanism for retracting the at least one flexible element from a first end of the at least one flexible element ; and a secondary retraction mechanism operatively connected with the bottom bar ; wherein the primary retraction mechanism includes at least one rotatable primary winding reel to which a first end of the at least one flexible element is attached, the first end of the flexible element being wound or unwound onto, or from the at least one rotatable primary winding reel; wherein the secondary retraction mechanism includes at least one rotatable secondary winding reel ; whereby the primary retraction mechanism is configured to retract the covering member when retracting the at least one flexible element from the first end of the at least one flexible element ; and whereby the primary retraction mechanism is independent of the secondary retraction mechanism ; characterized in that the secondary retraction mechanism is arranged for retracting the at least one flexible element from a second end of the at least one flexible element ; that the second end of the at least one flexible element is attached to the at least one rotatable secondary winding reel ; and that the secondary retraction mechanism is configured to selectively also retract the covering member when retracting the at least one flexible element from the second end of the at least one flexible element . <EOS>