transform.forward using global forward instead of local

Hi, I am making an AI spider which will stop when it gets too close to a wall. However, using my code below it only succeeds in executing Idle() when facing the northern wall of the maze (Global forward).

Here is my code:

 using UnityEngine;
 using System.Collections;
 
 public class Spider : MonoBehaviour {
 
     public float movementSpeed, rotationSpeed;

     //Called by game manager after instantiation
     public void SetLocation (MazeCell cell) {
         transform.localPosition = 
             new Vector3(
                 cell.transform.localPosition.x,
                 5f,
                 cell.transform.localPosition.z
                 );
         float startingRotation = Mathf.RoundToInt(Random.Range(-0.5f,3.49999f));
         transform.rotation = Quaternion.Euler(0,startingRotation * 90,0);
     }    
     
     void Update() {
         if (Physics.Raycast(transform.position, Vector3.down, 0.5f)) {
             if (!Physics.Raycast(transform.position, transform.forward, 2)) {
                 Walk();
             } else {
                 Idle ();
             }
         }
     }
 
     private void Idle() {
         animation.Play("idle");
     }
 
     private void Walk() {
         transform.Translate(transform.forward * movementSpeed * Time.deltaTime);
         animation.Play("walk");
     }
         
     }