London’s Uber regulations have hit an unexpected roadblock.

Tuesday, council’s community and protective services committee was set to rubber-stamp a bylaw politicians approved last year to govern so-called transportation network companies, such as Uber.

But the vote to endorse the bylaw — normally a formality — lost, sending the matter into political limbo until next week’s city council meeting, staff say, at which point it could be revived.

Councillors Maureen Cassidy and Mo Salih voted to endorse the bylaw, while Harold Usher and Bill Armstrong were opposed. A tie vote is recorded as a loss.

Coun. Phil Squire, who would have had the deciding vote, left the meeting early to oversee a student government event at Western University.

So, for now, London continues to rely on its existing taxi bylaw enacted long before ride apps such as Uber existed. It means Uber remains an outlaw firm, with its drivers at risk of large fines if caught by city bylaw officers.

It’s likely the new bylaw that regulates Uber and other firms like it will be revived by city council next week, where it may be approved. As Coun. Jesse Helmer said: “It’s very clear we’re going to have to sort this out at council.”

The traditional taxi industry, irked by what it believes are concessions given to Uber in the new bylaw, remains frustrated. And so do some city politicians.

“It is a total deregulation” of the taxi industry, Armstrong said of the proposed new regulations. “It’s a race to the bottom.”

pmaloney@postmedia.com